The trophies have been polished, the animals groomed, the crafts created and the cakes baked - it must be time for the Royal Manx Agricultural Show

All roads head west this weekend as the Royal Manx Agricultural Show takes place at Knockaloe, just outside Peel, on Friday and Saturday.

One of the highlights in the rural calendar, the Royal Manx is a fantastic day out for all the family as well as the culmination of months of hard work from show participants as they compete to win a coveted ’best in class’ award.

With a full two days of entertainment, a wide selection of food and drink providers, and a huge range of craft and trade exhibitors, it’s a celebration of Manx life and tradition that will keep you occupied for hours, no matter what the weather.

This year’s schedule includes the very impressive Stampede Stunt Company with their new show Dzhigitovka - The Way of the Cossack Warrior

This exciting display showcases authentic traditional Cossack trick riding and mastery of horseback weaponry by a team who have travelled to Moscow and Volgograd to bring back these skills to audiences in the British Isles.

Back by popular demand is the Ridgeside Falconry Show which features dramatic flying displays by a number of birds of prey and allows the general public to get up close and personal to these spectacular creatures. Ridgeside is also providing lurcher racing, a fun demonstration of speed and agility from dogs who love to run.

The Isle of Man Police Dog Team will be showing off their skills and there is a Dog and Duck show demonstrating herding skills, as well as general dog obedience and agility displays.

Other entertainment includes sheep shearing, Spike Milton’s Timbersports lumberjack show, dressage to music, classic car and vintage tractor parades, and a full musical programme on the bandstand. While most displays and performances are repeated over both days, anyone with an interest in countryside skills should make sure they catch the demonstrations of rush work, woodwork, straw rope making and corn dollies in the Farm & Garden Marquee on Friday afternoon.

More traditional arts and crafts will be displayed in the Women’s Institute marquee, and the Manx Beekeepers and Manx Craft Guild will also be in attendance. This year the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture will be showcasing 12 local food producers selling a range of Manx produce from cheese to seafood. And there is no shortage of food outlets for a bite to eat during the day: besides the show’s own Country Kitchen and Burger Queen catering stands, there are seven other food concessions ranging from ice cream and doughnuts to artisan sandwiches as well as the popular beer tent.

This year demand for trade exhibits at the show has been at an all-time high and exhibitors include agricultural merchants, car dealers, charities, health and beauty suppliers, conservatories and hot tub providers, local banks and many more.

Of course the Royal Manx is at heart an agricultural show and the judging of animals and arts and crafts is the backbone of the event for the farming community. Judging takes place over the two days with arts and crafts, light animals and dogs mostly on Friday and all livestock, dairy and driving classes on Saturday.

The Deemster Johnson’s Supreme Championship Award, the ultimate prize for exhibitors, will be awarded to the best animal at the show and is sponsored by Conister Bank.

This award is judged by a person nominated by the Royal Manx Agricultural Society’s President Andrew Corrin. The identity of this person is a closely guarded secret which is not revealed until he or she steps into the ring for the Grand Parade on Saturday at 4pm. The cup itself will be presented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney, who will be accompanied at the Show by Lady Gozney.

The day does not end with the Grand Parade though - Conister Bank is also supporting the Arena Eventing Spectacular hosted by Kennaa Riding Club on Saturday from 5pm.

Royal Manx Agricultural Society secretary Carol Kennaugh said: ’There really is something for everyone at this year’s show - it is very much a family day out and we try to appeal to everyone from all walks of life.

’While we remain an agricultural show, dedicated to maintaining traditions that have been upheld for years, it’s important that we move with the times. We’ve had great demand from exhibitors and it is the first year we have run out of space so obviously we are delighted to see so much interest from the community in what is one of the island’s longest running events.

’We are extremely grateful to our sponsors, particularly Conister Bank, Manx Telecom and Pokerstars, for all their support.’

The Royal Manx Agricultural Show is open from 9am to 5pm. Tickets cost £6 for adults on Friday and £8 on Saturday. Tickets for children aged four to 14 are £1 on either day with under 4s going free. Dogs are permitted on a short lead.

Free parking is available and a one-way system will be in operation with free trailer rides to and from the car park.

For further information ahead of the event go to the website www.royalmanx.com or call 801850.