Livestock judging in the parade ring at the East of England Show 2010
Presentation of Prizes in one of the Equestrian classes for 'working horses and wagons' at the East of England Show 2010
All the fun of the Fair - Sideshows and rides may be part of a Agricultural Show
An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show (a judged event or display in which breeding stock is exhibited), a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment. The work and practices of farmers, animal fanciers, cowboys & equestrians and zoologists may be displayed. The terms agricultural show and livestock show are sometimes used synonymously.
A show is the Commonwealth term for an annual country fair.
Overview
Australia
In Australia, the show is an important part of cultural life. Shows range from small events in small country towns usually lasting two days, through medium-sized events of three days, to the all-encompassing Royal Shows in state capitals, which may run for up to two weeks and combine many elements of an amusement park with those of an agricultural show. Although increasingly under pressure due to finances and insurance concerns, all main towns have a Show Society and in some areas, several towns and villages in the area all have an annual show. Larger shows often include live entertainment and fireworks in the main arena.
A distinctive feature of Australian shows is the showbag, a themed carry bag of commercial goods.
Competitions commonly included in Australian shows include:
- Arts and crafts
- Campdrafting
- Cooking
- commercial livestock and Stud
- Demolition Derby
- Horse show & Equestrian events
- Jams and preserves
- [[Pet and working animals - - Cat shows & Dog shows including sheepdog trials,
- Photography
- Rodeo
- Sheaf tossing
- Show jumping
- Tent pegging
- Wine
- Wood chopping
United Kingdom
Display of prize wining cheese at the Bakewell Show
A few of the many trophies that are awarded in the competition classes at Bakewell Show, Some of the prizes date back to the 1800s
In the United Kingdom, the Agricultural show has evoled from the classic farmers only day out event to a more general country show and fair to appeal to a wider audience. Several of the older shows with histories going back to the 18oo's have disappeared. the most famous recent loss being The Royal Show closing in 2009.
Regional events such as The Great Yorkshire Show and Bakewell Show have grown from one day events to 2 or 3 days and covering more country pursuits and country life interests that just the farming classes and trade stands of old. A lot of the shows promote local produce with sections for meat and dairy products made on local farms and produced by local butchers. Other artistic pursuits such as flower arranging are also very competitive.
Field days
Related to a show is the "field day", with elements of a trade show for machinery, equipment and skills required for arable (broadacre) farming. Field days typically do not involve livestock, showbags or sideshows, but may include events such as ploughing competitions not usually associated with shows due to the larger space required. In some communities in northern England Field Days (or Club Days) have lost their agricultural character and have become community celebrations.
Trade shows (UK)
- Main article: Trade shows
One of the biggest is the annual LAMMA Show held in Lincolnshire in January that started as a Local event for agricultural machinery manufactures to pitch there wares to the local arable farmers during the quiet winter months, before the spring sowing season.
List of Royal Shows
Australia
- Royal Adelaide Show
- Royal Bathurst Show
- Alice Springs Royal Show
- Royal Queensland Show (The Ekka)
- Royal Canberra Show
- Royal Darwin Show
- Royal Geelong Show
- Royal Hobart Show
- Royal Launceston Show
- Royal Melbourne Show
- Perth Royal Show
- Sydney Royal Easter Show
Canada
- Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
New Zealand
- Auckland Royal Easter Show
- Royal New Zealand Show[1]
South Africa
- The Royal Show - Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
United Kingdom
- Royal Show – Stoneleigh, Warwickshire (Closed in 2009)
- Royal Highland Show – Ingliston, Edinburgh
- Royal Norfolk Show – Costessey near Norwich, Norfolk
- Royal Welsh Show – Builth Wells, Powys
- Royal Bath and West Show – Shepton Mallet, Somerset
- Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show – Wadebridge, Cornwall
- Tendring Hundred Show, Essex
Ireland
List of other major agricultural and livestock shows
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Argentina
- La Rural, Buenos Aires
Brazil
- Expointer, Esteio
Australia
- Newcastle Regional Show
- Camden Show
France
- Salon international de l'agriculture de Paris (French)
New Zealand
- Fieldays, Hamilton, New Zealand
United Kingdom
- Bakewell Show - Known as 'The Little Royal' Bakewell, Derbyshire
- The East of England Show – Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
- The Great Yorkshire Show – Harrogate, North Yorkshire[2]
- Kent County Agricultural Society and Show
- Monmouth Show – Monmouth, Monmouthshire
- North Devon Show
- Newport Show – Newport, Shropshire
- The New Forest and Hampshire County Show
- Shropshire and West Midlands Show
United States
- American Royal – Kansas City, Missouri
- Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo - Rapid City, SD
- Clay County Fair – Spencer, Iowa
- Farm Progress Show – Decatur, Illinois and Boone, Iowa (Alternate years)
- Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo – Fort Worth, Texas
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – Houston, Texas
- National Farm Machinery Show – Louisville, Kentucky
- National Western Stock Show – Denver, Colorado (Largest in the world)
- North American International Livestock Exposition – Louisville, Kentucky
- Pennsylvania Farm Show – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo – San Antonio, Texas
See also
- Classic vehicle shows
- Steam fair
- Tractor shows
- Trade shows
- Working Weekends(Field day)
References
- ↑ http://www.royalshow.co.nz
- ↑ "Greatest show on turf opens gates", BBC News (8 July 8, 2008). Retrieved on July 17, 2008.
External links
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