Devon County Show - It’s show time for the best of Devon living

With just six weeks to go before the largest annual extravaganza in Devon, activity is building at Devon County Showground at Westpoint, near Exeter.

The Devon County Show, now in its 116th year, boasts livestock, food and drink, a flower and garden marquee and lots of family entertainment on the 93 acre site.

Show Secretary Ollie Allen said: "When I'm asked what is the main attraction of this year's Show, the answer is easy: the Show is the star of the Show - it's all about bringing people together for a big day out.”

And it is a big day out in all respects. The County Show expects to attract more than 90,000 visitors from May 19 to 21 to the event where there will be more than 7,000 animals, nearly 500 volunteer stewards and practically non-stop entertainment in six show rings.

There are hundreds of marquees – tentage tots up to nearly 300,000 square metres – accommodating passionate and committed people showcasing everything from handicrafts to food and drink.

Ollie Allen has drawn up the plans on paper and in the coming weeks will be marking out the spacious showground ready for the marquees to go up.

She said: “I’m finalising feature layouts and exhibitors plans, making sure I signs and 4” nails, good marker pens and a couple of 100m tapes to start measuring and marking out the trade stands next Monday. 

“That’s in between ordering up fencing panels, barriers, telephones, stables, fire extinguishers, tables, chairs, cookers, fridges, flower arrangements, crockery and organising the Stewards Supper for approximately 300. 

"The Stewards Supper is when the huge team of volunteers get together to celebrate the forthcoming Show and discuss the hard work they will be doing in the forthcoming days to make sure everyone – whether exhibitor, sponsor, press and media or Show visitor has a fantastic time at the County Show.”

Entertainment includes the dare-devil Bolddog Lings motorcycle display team, horse-back falconry displays and a 7-aside rugby tournament in the Sainsbury’s Arena.

Devon County Show is on May 19-21 at Westpoint, Exeter. Once again children go free on Saturday and, for the first time, this year senior citizens are eligible for the buy-one-get-one-free offer on all three days of the Show as long as they buy the tickets before Wednesday 11th May. Additional savings are also available on tickets bought in advance. To book and for more information, ring 01392 353700, email info@dschow.org or why not book them through our website www.devoncountyshow.co.uk

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