Tag: show
Stithians Agricultural Show
July 06th, 2018
The biggest day-long agricultural show in Cornwall, Stithians Show is back again for more family fun on the 16th July. Running every year since the early 1800s, this display of agricultural greatness celebrates all the local area has to offer, from animals to crafts!
The Showground at Stithians is near Truro and is accompanied by a fairground and numerous marquees for the big day. The main event is, of course, the animal show, where the finest livestock compete for best in show. While horses take the forefront, with around sixty classes, there are also awards on offer for many animals, from goats to guinea pigs! Dog shows and displays of dog agility will also be running throughout the day. Kids will be kept entertained by the small animal section, with plenty of cute rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens to watch and enjoy.
Another major aspect of the show is the horticulture section, which has over 250 classes to compete in, with prizes up for grabs for best veggies or the most beautiful blooms. One of the best exhibits is the Sweet Pea Competition, which also acts as the South West Championship. Also popular are the Floral Art competitions, with some phenomenal displays on show each year.
Stithians Show really encourages children to take part as well, with the Sunflower Trail providing plenty of opportunities to get involved. Going on an adventure around the showground, kids can look out for wooden sunflowers where they will find a stamp to collect, as well as a whole range of exciting activities. Here, children can get hands-on with many aspects of agricultural life, such as milling flour, learning knots, weaving wool and getting up close with some rare breeds!
Food also plays a big part in the Stithians show, with many wagons, stalls and marquees serving up the best Cornwall has to offer! A vast array of food wagons are dotted around the showground for quick bites, such as hot dogs, doughnuts and burgers. There are also a number of wagons and stalls set up to cater to a wide variety of dietary requirements, such as the vegan food wagon. This year, a new Farmers’ Kitchen marquee is being opened to serve full English breakfasts in the morning, a buffet for lunch, and afternoon teas after 3pm! However, the star of the food show is definitely the Taste of Cornwall Marquee, where local businesses showcase their foodie treats, with cheese, jam and cider all produced in Cornwall on offer.
Another popular exhibit is the Countryside Area, where craftspeople demonstrate their skills. Come and watch the blacksmiths working, or see demonstrations from thatchers, stonemasons and beekeepers, among many others. If that’s not enough, the exhibition ring will also see displays of hawking, fly fishing and a sheep parade!
It’s not just about the agriculture though, as there will be musical performances taking place throughout the day. The Show is kick-started by an impressive display from the St Stythians Band, who will march in procession for the opening ceremony, and will provide further performances during the day. The main stage will have bands, choirs and solo acts from Cornwall keeping the crowds entertained all day long, with a separate pop-up festival providing a more relaxed venue to sit and listen to music with a bite to eat. In the evening, the St Stythians Band and the Holman-Climax Male Voice Choir will take to the stage.
The Valley is only a 12-minute drive away from the Stithians Showground, so if you are thinking of paying a visit, come and stay at our luxury Cornish cottages to see all that Cornwall has to offer!
What’s On: The Royal Cornwall Show
June 04th, 2018
The Royal Cornwall Show celebrates all that the coastal county has to offer. Starting on Thursday June 7th until Saturday June 9th, this year marks the 225th year the show has taken place. The agricultural show not only puts a wide range of animals on display but also promotes local businesses and industries, with plenty of food, flowers, entertainment and art on offer! Here are just some of the things you can expect to see over the three-day show.
Animals
Of course, being an agricultural fair at heart, the Royal Cornwall Show will have thousands of animals on display, of all different breeds. Vying to be awarded best in show are a number of cows, sheep, pigs, goats and dogs. Horses will also be competing, with show jumping and the Inter-Hunt relay, putting each horse and rider to the test. If you’re more interested in the smaller end of the animal kingdom, then there are also plenty of birds, bunnies and even bees to be seen at the show as well!
For fans of man’s best friend, there will be a parade of hounds each day from Cornish hunts, as well as an insightful display from the Devon & Cornwall Police dogs.
Entertainment
As well as all of the animal shows and stalls to visit, there will be a wide range of entertainment over the show days, from live music to fair rides. A variety of local bands and musical acts will be taking to the stage throughout the day, keeping you entertained as you explore the show. World-class stuntman, Kangaroo Kid, will be taking to the main ring to wow with his adrenaline-pumping quad bike show, while the RAF Falcons will show-off their skills in an impressive parachuting display.
For the kids, a scarecrow trail will be laid out around the showcase, with an assortment of friendly scarecrows waiting to be found. If you find them all, you could be in with a chance of winning a ticket to next year’s show! There is also a traditional Victorian-style fun fair in the grounds, with vintage carousels, swing boats, a helter-skelter and big wheel providing fun for all of the family.
Displays
With so much incredible natural beauty in Cornwall, it is of no surprise that the Royal Cornwall Show also features a delightful flower show, known as one of the best in the country. Exhibitors from around the UK will be turning up to show-off their vibrant blooms in the hopes of winning an award.
If you’re more into motors, the motor fair or steam fair may be more up your street! The motor fair sees an assortment of cars, vans and other vehicles on display, with many up for sale. Whether you’re just looking, or there to make a purchase, there are an astonishing number of makes and models on offer. Likewise, the steam fair will be exhibiting an impressive array of vintage engines; from tractors to traction engines! Learn all about the steam-powered history of the county through this interactive exhibit experience.
Food
One of the busiest areas of the show is the food pavilion, set up so that local businesses can showcase their very best produce. Sample some of the counties delicious delicacies from a variety of small businesses and bigger brands. It’s bound to be so yummy you’ll even want to take home a taste of Cornwall for your family to try at home!
Craft Stalls
Across the 95 acres showground, there will be over 1000 trade stands, offering up the best local produce on offer. As well as food stands, there will be over 80 craft stalls selling handmade goods from local artists. The craft section of the show will have its own tent so you can browse the stunning artistic works away from the bustle of the rest of the show. Products from all sorts of artistic disciplines will be on offer, including jewellery, pottery, paintings, furniture, porcelain and photography.
If you are interested in attending the Royal Cornwall, it is taking place on the 7th, 8th and 9th of June, and the gates open each day at 7am for ticket holders. Looking to see what Cornwall has to offer? Come and stay with us here at The Valley for an amazing Cornwall short break!
Image Credit: Edward Webb, Chris Goldberg
