It’s fair time once again at Mounthill

All showing classes for horses, ponies and sheep will commence at 11am, with entries taken on the field from 10am.

With the exceptional growth and interest in the fair, the organising committee have extended the show site to include a dedicated area for general parking.

Exhibitors, trade stand holders and general public are asked to co-operate fully and follow the traffic management system and parking arrangements as directed by the PSNI and society officials.

Proceeds from the 2012 Mounthill Fair will be donated to the society’s nominated charity, Parkinson’s UK – Northern in Ireland. All trade stand, car parking fees and general donations will be presented to the charity.

The organising committee would like to thank the fair’s many sponsors for their generous donations in supporting their 2012 charity.

Thanks are also extended to Gleno Young Farmers’ Club, Raloo Presbyterian Church Boys’ Brigade company, Rev Dr John Nelson, local government agencies, including Larne Borough Council and PSNI for their practical help and support.

A great line up artists has been firmed up for 2012 and will include The Grousebeaters and the Seven Towers School of Irish Dancing.

Gleno Young Farmers Club will be on site providing light refreshments, teas and coffees and will also host a series of games to include Toss the Sheaf, Guess the Weight of the Lamb and the popular Tug of War Challenge Competition.

Since its inauguration at the fair, the family pet show has grown in popularity and it’s fitting that for 2012 the event will take centre stage in the main arena, sponsored by Rosalind Woodside and Gleno Veterinary Centre.

The pet show will get under way at 3pm with entries taken from 2pm. Classes for goats, dogs, caged pets, rabbits and guinea pigs.

This year’s show schedule includes an extensive range of classes for both ridden and in-hand horses and ponies, Clydesdales, coloured horse and ponies, donkeys, driving and Shetland ponies.

Thanks to the generosity of the fair’s sponsors, this year’s prize fund will be awarded to all championships in the horse, pony and sheep sections.

The Mounthill Champion of Champions trophy will be awarded to the 2012 champion of the donkey section.

All competitors and exhibitors with horses andponies, sheep and birds etc are reminded that all paperwork must be available and fully compliant with current DARD legislation, i.e. equine passports, flock, herd books and movement papers.

A full range of trade stands will be present at this year’s show, displaying a range of fresh produce from Northern Ireland. For the children - weather permitting - bouncy castles, trampoline, slides and mini tractor racing.

Interest in trade stand space has again been exceptional; anyone wishing to avail of space should contact the secretary.

Fees from all trade stand holders will be donated to the fair’s nominated charity, Parkinson’s UK – Northern Ireland. The 2012 tariffs for trade stand space are large trade stands £25. all other traders £20.

The society’s dinner and presentation of awards will take place on Friday, October 19. For catering purposes, admission to the event will be by pre-paid ticket only.

Tickets will be on sale at the fair and can be purchased from the secretary.

The awards evening and dinner is a very popular event on the society’s calendar, tickets are limited and to avoid disappointment it is advisable to purchase tickets early.

For news snippets on the 2012 Mounthill fair, check out the society on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Mounthill-Fair

Anyone requiring further information, schedule of events, or book trade stand space should contact secretary Marie Bell 028 9337 8850 or chairman John Cross 028 9332 2687.