IT’S SHOW TIME!

The region’s leading countryside and lifestyle show – The East of England Show – is returning to the East of England Showground in Peterborough on June 17, 18 and 19.

This Show will be a celebration of British farming and rural life featuring everything from livestock to vintage vehicles, horses to country sports, trade stands and live music.

The livestock classes will be building on last year’s success and hoping for even higher levels of entries this year.

The very finest horses will be competing in the equestrian classes, including in-hand ridden and scurry classes, and all breeds will be present, from Shetlands to Shires.

Show jumping will also feature, and the huge range of classes will see some of today’s best riders competing for glory.

Food remains at the heart of the Show and children will be able to come along and cook a delicious, juicy fruit crumble, and along the way find out how their food gets from the farm to their plate.

The Food Hall will contain many of the region’s best food and drink producers, selling their delicious produce. You will also be able to gain inspiration in the food demonstration theatre, while on Friday the finalists in the School Food Challenge will be battling it out for this prestigious trophy. Plus the Farms R Us section will be returning to educate and enthuse children about the source of their food.

There will be musical entertainment throughout the three days with Outta Stock and 60s band Herman’s Hermits performing on the Saturday eveningand the 18-piece Good Guys Orchestra on Saturday afternoon, plus plenty of activities for children and adults alike to take part in.

A fabulous display of vintage tractors, and farm machinery under the theme of Sugar Beet will stir up the nostalgia among visitors, as will the steam and classic car displays.

The Country Sports Arena will once again have a wide range of displays and demonstrations of all aspects of rural life.

The Peterborough International Orchid Show will be returning for the fourth year, and  also on display will be the entries in the garden design and floral art competition.

If you like to shop there’ll be over 400 trade stands with products to suit all tastes and budgets. Food will feature strongly and the Food Hall will be brimming with delicious local provisions for you to fill your pantry with. Visitors can also enjoy the delicious variety of catering, all sourced under the Food Direct from the Farm scheme.

Chief Executive of the East of England Agricultural Society, Paul Wallwork, said – “This year’s Show will continue to entertain and inform people about farming, food and all things rural. It is also a fabulous day out for the whole family, with something of interest for all ages. We hope you will join us for what is promising to be a wonderful weekend.”

Advanced tickets: Admission on Friday is £5.00 for adults and Senior Citizens. Children are free. Advanced tickets for Saturday and Sunday are priced at Family (2 adults + 2 children) £28, Adult £13, Senior (65+) £10.20 and Children (5-16 years) £6. There is a £1.50 booking fee per transaction. You can book by telephone by calling 0845 600 5445 or book on-line at www.showground.org.uk.

On-the-gate-admission: Admission on Friday is £6.00 for adults and Senior Citizens. Children are free. Prices for Saturday and Sunday: Family (2+2) £31, Adult £15, Senior (65+) £12 and Children (5-16 years) £7.00. Gates open from 8.00am – 6pm and car parking is FREE, with a network of level tarmac roads for ease of access for the disabled. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a full paying adult and dogs must be kept on leads at all times (dogs will not be permitted in the Food Hall).