Ballymena Show - country comes to town

As the first County show to be held after Balmoral, Ballymena Show is always very well supported by a high number of exhibitors, and spectators, from throughout Northern Ireland and the 2014 event will follow that trend.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th May 2014, 10:44 BST
Sponsors of the Ballymena Show sheep section pictured along with committee members at the Show launch evening. INBT18-226ACSponsors of the Ballymena Show sheep section pictured along with committee members at the Show launch evening. INBT18-226AC
Sponsors of the Ballymena Show sheep section pictured along with committee members at the Show launch evening. INBT18-226AC

Being staged at the Showgrounds on Friday and Saturday, May 30 and 31, Ballymena Show will once again highlight what is best about the province’s agricultural sector.

Sections include poultry, sheep, goats, cattle, show jumping, horse and pony, home industries crafts and floral art with significant prize money and trophies available. At the Show’s recent launch for 2014, Chairperson Robert Dick extended thanks to the sponsors and the many volunteers who give of their time freely to ensure the show continues to be a success each year.

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He also highlighted a number of new activities that will be taking place this year within some of the sections including the introduction of the Swaledale breed into the sheep section. This is a hill breed sheep that first made its appearance at Balmoral show last year and, according to its Chairman Ballymena Show, is delighted to have it showing this year.

Ballymena Show fully understands the importance of the young people within the agricultural sector who are very much its future and to this end the organisers are delighted to work closely with the three local YFC’s – Lisnamurrican, Glarryford and Ahoghill.

As always these clubs will be holding their hockey, tractor and jeep handling competition on the Friday night with the emphasis moving to fun on the Saturday afternoon with ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition at 3pm.

Greater entertainment for all the family was very much at the forefront of the Show’s organising committee this year and they are delighted to announce that Shauna McStravock, who will be appearing both on Friday evening and Saturday, will be joined by many other artists including David Maguire and Damian McErlain on the Friday night and Ritchie Remo, Chloe McStravog, Barry Devlin and Patricia Maguire on the Saturday.

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A fun dog show, supported by Dogs Trust and Paws2Wash, will be held on the Friday evening and organisers hope that dog owners will come along and enter the competition.

Friday evening will also see back by popular demand the sheep shearing and sheepdog trial competitions. For further information check the facebook page.

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Related topics:Northern IrelandBalmoral