The Royal Manx Agricultural Show takes place on Friday, August 9, and Saturday, August 10

It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the island’s rural calendar as farmers and equestrians look forward to demonstrating the attributes of their prized animals in front of an appreciative audience.

But ’the Royal’, as the Royal Manx Agricultural Show is affectionately known, is not just for the exhibitors and the experts. It’s two days of fun and entertainment for all the family.

The Royal’s stunning setting at Knockaloe, in Patrick, on rolling green fields cradled by surrounding hills, sets the tone for an event on a large scale.

Providing parking for the 20,000 visitors who will come through the show gates over the two days is where you can start to appreciate the months of organisation and hard work that have been put in by the team of enthusiastic volunteers who help out each year.

’It’s a bit like a well oiled engine really: when it’s going well and everybody’s pulling it’s great,’ says Fiona Moore, who is enjoying her first year as show president.

For visitors, though, it’s all about the fun and it starts right there, with a bumpy ride over the fields on the back of a large trailer, from their car to the show entrance. Children love it and, it’s rumoured, so do many of the ’grown-ups’.

For many people it sets the tone for a day when they can reconnect with the countryside and the rural way of life. It’s a celebration of Manx life and tradition.

The entry fee on the gates this year is £7 on Friday 9th and £9 on Saturday 10th for adults with children aged four to 14 years just £1 on both days. Parking is free.

It’s still remarkably low compared with similar events in the UK and it’s great value, considering what is on offer: two full days of entertainment in the main ring, a wide selection of food and drink providers, and a huge range of craft and trade exhibitors.

This year’s new attractions in the main ring include the Vander Brothers with their quadruple Vander Space Wheel. Billed as the ’best aerial stunt act in Europe’ it’s been developed for large arenas like the Royal. Audiences watch mesmerised as they complete spectacular stunts like walking blindfolded on the outside of the wheel.

On a slightly gentler note, Richard Crowe, from Bishopscourt Farm, which hosted the recent International Sheepdog Trial, will demonstrate the skills needed to compete sheepdogs at this level. There will also be a sheep shearing demonstration by Daniel Creer.

Some of the regular main ring favourites will be back too. Teme Timber Sports, a dressage demonstration by local rider Carly Letch, Pony Club games and Ridgeside Falconry, as well as the ever-popular dog obedience show and dog agility demonstration and the vintage machinery and classic cars.

The police dog handlers will be there too, with a new team of dogs who they are bringing along to the Royal for the first time, getting them used to being out and about and seeing crowds of people.

The competition side on the Friday features show jumping, the calf show and the young handlers.

The Royal is also a reminder of how agriculture is a key element in the island’s very successful food and drink sector.

The DEFA tent is a showcase for some of the many local food and drink products and a chance for some visitors to sample them for the first time.

If that whets your appetite there is plenty of on-site catering and food outlets as well as the beer tent with the bandstand nearby to entertain.

Judging at the show really starts on Thursday when the children’s art and crafts competition winners are decided.

’It’s not just all based on agriculture even though that’s our main theme, it’s a traditional country show: people grow vegetables and they produce honeys and jams and wines. You don’t have to be involved with agriculture to enter those, everybody’s welcome,’ says Fiona Moore.

There is also the floral art tent where entrants compete for the best displays, the WI tent, the Isle of Man Beekeepers, and Spinners and Weavers.

The variety of trade stands ranges from corporates like the banks to agricultural merchants, both local and from the UK. There are tractors and farm machinery on display along with cars from local dealers, Mylchreests, lots of charity stalls, the Isle of Man Young Farmers and the NFU stand where the milking display is always popular.

The show’s headline sponsor, Manx Telecom, traditionally offers fun and games for children on its stand and this year they have brought back Isle of Play which was so popular last year.

Fiona says: ’I really want to thank Manx Telecom and all our sponsors for their support: we really wouldn’t be able to put on the show with them.’

If Friday is more about entertainment, Saturday is where it gets serious for the showing competitors, both agricultural and equestrian. This is the day where most of the animals are brought along: light horse, heavy horse, beef and dairy cattle and sheep, and fur and feather.

The official party, including the Lieutenant Governor, who is a guest of the show, will tour the showground from 1.30pm to 4pm on Saturday, followed by the Grand Parade of winners.

The Governor will present the prizes in the Grand Parade, together with representatives from Santander, who sponsor the light horse section, and Conister Bank who sponsor the Deemster Johnson Supreme Championship Award. This is the ultimate prize for exhibitors, awarded to the best animal in the show.

It’s a chance to appreciate some beautifully cared-for and produced animals and to remind ourselves of the importance of agriculture in the life and traditions of the island.

And that’s not forgetting all the fun and entertainment that a day - or two days - out at the Royal offers for all the family.

Come along and enjoy yourselves.

Useful information:

The show opens at 9am on both days.

Entry fee is £7 on Friday 9th and £9 on Saturday 10th for adults with children aged 4-14 years just £1 on both days.

Parking is free and there is also a disabled access car park - apply to show organisers for a disabled car park pass, more details on website.

There are facilities for cash withdrawals available at Isle of Man Bank’s Mobile Branch which will be on the show field.

Baby changing facilities are available at the Mothers’ Union marquee which is location at plot 30.

For more information visit www.royalmanx.com

TIMETABLE:

Friday:

Main Ring Timetable

Friday

10.20 Ridgeside Lurcher Racing

11.00 Classic Car Parade

11.15 Sheep Dog Trial Display

11.30 Isle of Man Dog Club Agility Show

12.00 Vander Space Wheels

12.20 Ridgeside Falconry Display

13.00 Sheepshearing Display

13.10 Vander Space Wheels

13.30 Sheep Dog Trial Display

13.45 Dressage Display

14.00 Ridgeside Falconry Show

14.40 Classic Car Parade

15.00 Vintage Tractor and Machinery Parade

15.20 Vander Space Wheels

15.40 Ridgeside Lurcher Racing

Saturday

9.30 Carriage Driving Competition

10.00 Ridgeside Lurcher Racing

10.30 Vander Space Wheels

11.00 Meg Lamb Competition

10.50 Sheepshearing Display

11.00 Sheep Dog Trial Display

11.20 Isle of Man Dog Agility Show

11.50 Ridgeside Falconry Show

12.30 Vander Space Wheels

12.30 Carriage Cone Driving Competition

13.00 Ridgeside Falconry Display

13.45 Dressage Display

14.00 Sheepshearing Display

14.10 Pony Club Games

14.40 Sheep Dog Trial Display

15.00 Classic Car Parade

15.20 Vintage Tractor and Machinery Parade

15.40 Vander Space Wheels

16.00 Miss Young Farmer

16.00 Grand Parade and Supreme Championship

17.00 Young Farmers Wheelbarrow Race