90th Kent County Show hosts entertainment for all

Organisers of the Kent County Show, the Kent County Agricultural Society, are set to celebrate their 90^th Show this year with entertainment for all on 5, 6, 7 July 2019. The Society is looking to open this year’s anniversary Show with a bang with countless entertainment, displays and competitions lined up for the annual affair in Detling. The Show welcomes the International Dzhigitovka Show; a thrilling display of stunts and tricks all performed from horseback, as this year’s main ring attraction. The British Dzhigitovka Team, joined by current world champion Sergey Murogov, will grace the main ring with flaming jumps, horseback archery, and human pyramids as they show off their rigorous training in the special style of trick riding, or dzhigitovka. This is the first time the International Dzhigitovka Show has performed at the Kent County Show and they are sure to bring a touch of daring to the proceedings. Also new for 2019 are Saxon re-enactments from the Herigeas Hundus re-enactment group. Visitors can join them in the Woodland Area as they take a journey back through time to bring the Anglo Saxons back to life in the Show’s beautiful Murrain Wood. The Woodland Area showcases the skills and crafts of the woodland and forestry industry and hosts woodland craft exhibitors, a green woodworking area, and the Pale Making Competition. The Woodland Area is the perfect place to discover more on the county’s woodlands and the work needed to maintain and conserve them. Joining the entertainment line-up are regular Kent County Show features; the ‘Spirit of Kent’ Spitfire flypast, Titan the Robot, and the Salvation Army Band. The Sheep Show also returns for 2019 as they put on a humorous performance about sheep and wool and perform their famous dance. For children, free pony rides, the Tractor Ted Interactive Area, and shows from Punch and Judy offer free entertainment for young visitors. The Show also offers places to sit down and find a bite to eat in the catering areas with a bandstand in the Village Green at the centre of the Showground with a full line-up of musical performances. Fred Clarke will be performing on all three Show days and will be joined by FB Pocket Orchestra and the Tuneless Choir on Friday, Rock Choir and Melisma Jazz on Saturday, and the Biggin Hillbillies and Salvation Army Band on Sunday. Visitors can also expect to see performances from local Morris dancers, a one-man band, a bubble making fairy, and Mr and Mrs Flora. The Country, Game and Canine Area has trade stands, displays and interactive activities ideal for dog owners. Displays from Gundog Solutions allows visitors to put their dog to the test in timed retrieving trials and K9 Aqua Sports return with their popular dock diving activities. Also, in the area are the Show’s 25 metre high poles where the AUS Ltd 25m British Pole Climbing Championship will take place, with the best climbers reaching the top in under 10 seconds. Love Fairs will be hosting the Antiques and Vintage Village once again in the John Hendry Pavilion with a line-up of live acts to entertain. The Keep It Local craft marquee, Eden Crafts, and Produced in Kent area also return for 2019 with a variety of handcrafted and local produce to peruse and purchase. A stop by the Food Hall is essential as well as a visit to the Wine and Cheese Tent for a selection of edible delicacies from the county and beyond. The Livestock Marquees are always a popular area at the Kent County Show and this year include a new class for Blue Texel sheep. All the winning livestock from each class will take part in The Savills’ Grand Parade of Livestock on all three Show days, with the Supreme Champions leading the way. The Food and Farming Area has relocated for 2019 to sit in the Agricultural Area. The Food and Farming Area will host interactive activities for younger visitors to the Show to learn about where their food comes from and the processes behind it. Visitors can have a go at bread making or jump on a smoothie bike to pedal their own smoothie using fresh fruit. The area will also host information on the Show’s charity organisers work in supporting the county’s farming communities. The equine competitions also feature new and exciting elements. This year, the Kent County Show is the only show in the country to have an International Trial included in their showjumping timetable. The addition is set to boost the Show’s already high class of showjumping competitor, guaranteed to put on a good performance for the Show’s visitors. Other new classes include Welsh A and B classes, the JVJ Championship for side saddle, and an exercise driving class for carriage driving. These new features join the Show’s regular line up of native, heavy horse, ridden and in-hand classes, and the farrier competition to bring a packed line up for this special, anniversary Show. For vehicle enthusiasts, the Heritage Section boasts displays of vintage vehicles and machinery. With classic cars, commercials, buses, motorcycles, tractors, steam and stationary engines, the Heritage Section shows just how much transport has changed over the years. The area is also home to the Model Tent, which this year has a theme of “Passage Through Time” and will demonstrate a range of different time keeping equipment, including sun dials, hourglasses and water clocks. Nearby is the Garden Life Marquee, home to the Flower Show, NAFAS Floral Art competitions, the Kent Beekeepers Associations’ Honey Show, the Kent Federation of Horticultural Society’s Summer Show, and for the first time, the Women’s Institute Huxley Cup for flower arranging. The beautiful displays of flowers and gardens provide a peaceful area to enjoy the Show, and the Demonstration Stage and Garden Café are a welcome spot to enjoy refreshments and listen to expert advice on gardening. The line-up on the stage include renowned horticulturalist, Jim Buttress, who will be talking about his 65 years in the industry where he’s won eight gold medals at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show and worked on the Royal Parks in London, including Buckingham Palace. Nick Woods, botanical horticulturalist for Kew Gardens, will be talking on environmental management and Charlotte Molesworth, creator of the Balmoral Cottage Garden in Cranbrook, will present on topiaries. Jim will be talking on the Friday, Nick on Saturday, and Charlotte on Friday and Sunday with more to be announced. The Kent County Agricultural Society held its first Show in 1923. After being put on hold during the Second World War, the Society now celebrates it’s 90^th Show in 2019. This special anniversary Show will be marked with a display of the Society’s history which can be seen around the Showground. Show manager, Lucy Hegarty, said: “We’re really looking forward to putting on an exciting and action packed Show this year. Whether young or old, the Show will have something for the whole family. We’re thrilled to be celebrating our 90^th Show this year, it’s quite an achievement for us so we’ll be looking forward to remembering 90 years of making memories.” Join organisers and charity, the Kent County Agricultural Society, as they celebrate the 90^th Kent County show and help them continue the support they give for Kent’s farming and rural communities. Take advantage of the pre-Show discount on general admission or get better value by purchasing a membership to visit on all three Show days. Find out more by visiting www.kentshowground.co.uk or calling 01622 633060. Press Contact: Becky Parrock 01622 633058 becky@kentshowground.co.uk