All the fun of the Show in Ballymena

Ballymena Showgrounds will be the venue once again for the popular annual Ballymena Show being held this Friday and Saturday, May 27 and 28.
Sponsors and guests who attended the 2016 Ballymena Show launch at Eaton Park. INBT 18-821HSponsors and guests who attended the 2016 Ballymena Show launch at Eaton Park. INBT 18-821H
Sponsors and guests who attended the 2016 Ballymena Show launch at Eaton Park. INBT 18-821H

Both days feature packed programmes of activities and events offering not only all things agricultural but a wide range of family entertainment, trade stands, demonstrations and exhibitions.

Gates will open to the public on Friday at 4pm when among the many activities will be the fun dog show and a fancy dress treasure hunt for children, sheep shearing, thrashing display, crafts, poultry, a display of vintage tractors and the Working Hunter Pony section.

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The main day of the show - Saturday - will continue to offer plenty for visitors with baking, crafts, exhibits, floral art demonstrations, speciality foods, children’s entertainment, amusements and a wide variety of trade stands.

Home Industries is always a popular section of the Show and this year will see the introduction of a stuffed cushion competition running alongside the very successful County Antrim Chocolate Cake Competition. Each winner from these two classes from Ballymena, Ballymoney and Antrim show will go forward to the final where overall winners will be chosen.

Saturday will also feature the sections for Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Horses, Ponies, and Poultry. And, for livestock fans, the Show’s livestock sections will this year see the introduction of two new sheep breeds - the Suffolk Cheviot and Blue Texel and the NI Simmental Society will be holding their Heifer Championships within the Cattle Section with additional prize money on offer.

As in previous years, Ballymena Show, which is organised by the County Antrim Agricultural Association, continues to work alongside the three local Young Farmers’ Clubs – Lisnamurrican, Glarryford and Ahoghill.

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The popular County competitions will be held on the Friday with inter club Tug-o-War completion and Slippery Football Knockout Competitions being held on the Saturday. Details of the 2016 Show were revealed at its official launch last month at Eaton Park Rugby Club in the presence of sponsors as well as Show committee members, members of young farmers clubs and local councillors.

They were welcomed by Chairperson Robert Dick who extended particular thanks to all the sponsors of this year’s event and the many volunteers who give of their time freely to ensure the show continues to be a success.

For more information visit www.ballymenashow.co.uk or join the Show on facebook or email [email protected].

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