Celebrate the best of Devon farming, food & drink, family fun and rural life at Devon’s biggest day out.
Devon’s County Show is one of the South West’s most impressive rural shop windows, showcasing hand-reared livestock, the finest food and drink from producers around the county and giving visitors the opportunity to experience rural living at its most vibrant, all in a family friendly fun-packed day. This year marks the 122nd show and is set to, once again, be bigger and better than ever!
Known for its wealth of fine food and drink producers, the food and drink pavilion this year boasts being even bigger than before with more artisan producers, a seating area and a cookery demonstration theatre featuring top chefs including Michael Caines, the holder of two Michelin stars and Elly Wentworth, a finalist in the BBC’s Masterchef: The Professionals. Show Secretary Ollie Allen said: “We are proud of the big part the County Show has played in the food revolution which has transformed the quality and variety of locally-produced food and drink over the past 25 years or so.”
Of course, at the heart of the Show are the stockmen and women who will be bringing thousands of animals to compete for the accolades which recognise exceptional livestock and equine breeding and animal husbandry. The wonderful display of livestock beauties takes place on Friday and Saturday when the cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and donkeys which have taken coveted top prizes take part in the Grand Parade in the Mole Valley Farmers main arena.
Supporting the roots of the show is the immersive entertainment put on each year to keep crowds excited. This year’s show will be hosting another thrilling programme of entertainment in five arenas around the showground, including music from the bandstand and entertainment in the avenues. Don’t miss the UK’s number one monster truck team, Big Pete and The Grim Reaper, who will be performing on Friday and Saturday as well as the Inspire Shows Events & Tours BMX stunt team who will be on display and encouraging visitors to get involved and have a go too.
Helping youngsters to find out more about Devon’s important role in farming and food production is central to a lot of the hands-on activities at the Children’s Farm. They will be able to try a variety of typical farming activities; from getting involved in the milking and juicing apples to making bread and planting seeds. Families and school parties will be able to take part in the Mole Avon ‘Wheelie Wild Wheelbarrow’ Family Trail too, which will take them to 14 different locations around the showground.
As well as all of this, the Devon County Show this year will be hosting ‘Devon Remembers’, a tribute at the Show to the men and women from the county who lost their lives in the First World War. To date more than 11,000 hand-crafted poppies have been made which will be put together as part of a beautiful display in the crafts and gardens pavilion. “We are bowled over and truly humbled by the tremendous response we have received to our appeal for poppies,” commentated Ollie Allen. “The young, the old and everyone in-between have been crafting poppies and some are dedicated to their lost loved-ones.”
In amongst all the show arenas and features will be over two miles of trade stands offering a unique ‘High Street’ experience featuring everything from wellington boots to woollies, socks to speed boats and cars to hand-picked crafts.
For a full programme of events and exhibitors and to book your tickets in advance, visit www.devoncountyshow.co.uk
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