Sun Shines Brightly on Another Successful Show!
Glorious sunshine filled the Balmoral Showgrounds all three days of this year’s Show, bringing huge crowds out to enjoy the annual agricultural extravaganza. From livestock, show jumping, and over 400 trade stands, right through to crazy clowns, and an eight foot robot the Show had something for everyone.
Running from 14th-16th May the Show offered its usual extravaganza of colour, competition and showmanship, and along with daily displays of pedigree horses, ponies, cattle, sheep, poultry, pigs and goats, organisers added a number of interesting new features to the programme.
Good food ambassador and celebrated chef Jenny Bristow delivered live master class sessions within the Food Pavilion. With the support of some of Northern Ireland’s finest food producers, Jenny offered audiences top tips on creating healthy, convenient dishes.
Titan the Robot took up residence at this year’s event, roaming the Showgrounds and treating amazed onlookers to a quick one liner or serenade! International clowns Dingle Fingle delighted the crowds in the main arena with their crazy capers as part of their comedy car stunt show Dingle Fingle and the Clown Town Crimewatch.
Tots to teens were entertained within the dedicated Kids Zone, with the childrens’ farm, a freshwater fish Touch Tank, bungee trampoline, climbing wall and much more. The bravehearted took a chance on the rodeo bull, proving an instant success in its first outing at the Show.
The Garden Village was back by popular demand, where expert horticulturists held a variety of gardening demonstrations, covering a wide variety of subjects including hanging baskets and woodturning.
The musical element of this year’s Show was taken up an octave with a line up of musical acts – the pipes and drums of the tartan clad Ravara Pipe Band, the international flavour of the 30 strong Friendship Band and the fresh and lively sounds of the Martello Jazz Band filled the grounds, bringing the Show to life with the sound of music!
A new and improved educational trail was launched for this year’s Show, and proved hugely popular with school groups, with its colourful child friendly booklet and fourteen point trail of discovery around the Showgrounds.
As well as the new attractions on offer, organisers ensured firm favourites and regular features weren’t left out of the line up, including the rare breeds, dog agility competition, pony club games, riding for the disabled, the sheep dog and duck display and sheep shearing contests.
The Show scaled new heights in their Show Jumping schedule this year through the upgrading of the International Show Jumping section to a CSI two-star event. Equestrian lovers had the opportunity to view the Show Jumping competitions, Inter-hunt chase, Northern Ireland dressage display and more.
With all this on offer, it certainly was a busy three days! Looking forward already, next year’s Show will run from the 13th – 15th May 2009, so put it in your diary!
