Record Number of Visitors For 91st Kent County Show

Following a cancelled show in 2020, and a restricted number of visitors at the 2021 Summer Fayre, the 2022 Kent County Show was the 91^st Show and first one since 2019. Rebuilding after the pandemic, and organised by almost an entirely new team, it refocused on agriculture, animals and education with input from The National Fruit Show education department supported by LEAF (Linking Education and Farming), to provide insight into food production. Hosting Minette Batters, the NFU President, together with a selection of the county’s Members of Parliament, it effectively demonstrated why the countryside is so important and showcased much of what the rural sector has to offer to the county’s economy.

Commenting on the success of the Show, Julian Barnes Chairman of the Kent County Agricultural Society said:

“I am exceptionally pleased with how successful this year’s event has been and would like to thank the hard work of our operational team, as well as the army of volunteers, my fellow Directors and the support of our sponsors. Returning post-pandemic, we were determined not simply to replicate the 2019 event but give the new team an opportunity to put the huge menu that the Garden of England offers at the heart of the Show. As we look towards the Society’s 100^th birthday next year, this event firmly put farming and the county’s rural sector back at the forefront.”

Thanks were also given to all of the Show’s sponsors.

Livestock entries were good for the Show this year, and this ensured that visitors were able to see all the competitions and enjoy the large number of animals, particularly in the sheep area. Supreme Champion Beef was presented to Holly Richardson, and the Supreme Dairy Champion was David Heaseman. Supreme Sheep Champion was Emma Carr. The livestock section was also joined by a large number of Kent Young Farmers who competed against each other in their own rings at the Main Entrance.

A new attraction this year was the Hogg Show, a hilarious and interactive stage show featuring special rare breeds of pigs with names such as Will-i-Ham, Harry Trotter, and a very recent recruit, Boris Johnson.

Some of the other main attractions included:

• New Equine Village showcasing equine competitions, pony rides, farrier competitions, Duke the Unicorn and miniature pony meet and greets
• Antique and vintage village held by Love Fairs featuring some of their best sellers
• Show Village bandstand with fabulous local acts and artists
• Family friendly ring entertainment including favourites such as Dog and Sheep Show, Birds of Prey and new pig agility, as well as the National Open Championship and International Trial Showjumping in the main Astor Ring.
• Heritage Vehicle section with 100’s of vintage and classic cars, motorbikes, tractors, buses, steam engines and rollers, plus Model Tent.
• Garden Life Area with floral art competitions and hanging basket displays, together with information and further displays from the Kent Beekeepers Association

Organised by the Kent County Agricultural Society, a charity that has supported the Kent rural community since 1923, the County Show is just one way that it achieves its charitable objectives. Other initiatives include donations to support a huge number of other charities, organisations, students and school farms in Kent. These initiatives will continue in the future, with the proceeds from the County Show continuing to be used to help the next generation of farmers, horticulturalists and those working in the countryside.

Adding to this, Nikki Dorkings, General Manager of the Showground said: “With planning for this event, only really possible since January 2022, I am incredibly proud of the team and volunteers who managed to pull this together in half the usual time. The atmosphere throughout the three days was fantastic, and we were pleased that all our exhibitors, trade stands, displays and entertainment joined the party and helped make this a really special Show for our 2022 visitors. As we look to build the show back up, I’d like to thank all those exhibitors and look forward to welcoming them back next year.

The dates for the next Kent County Show are Friday 7, Saturday 8, and Sunday 9^th July 2023.