The New Forest Show Returns

30 July 2013, 06:36 | Updated: 30 July 2013, 07:10

One of the South Coast's biggest Festivals gets underway today (Tuesday 30 July).

The New Forest Show began as a one day agricultural event in 1921 but now takes place over three days and is run by a team of more than 330 volunteers.

Agricultural Shows are famous for their livestock and rural activities - there are also horse competitions including international showjumping.

Over 3000 animals will be at the Show, including 900 rabbits as well as a collections of birds, cattle, donkeys, pigs and a poultry show.

The theme for this year is ‘Get Involved’ so you can take part in activities such as the tug of war with a tractor, making pottery or voting for your favourite feathered friend in the Poultry Tent.

Taking place in the Main Rings each day will be the Devil’s Horsemen who will be performing their acrobatics on horseback and also their ‘Roman Chariot Racing’.

The food tents and the Local Food and Farming area where the county’s top producers can be found are also very popular with opportunities to have tastings from the cookery demonstrations held there.

For children, there is the Forest Fun Factory, which provides all day activities, shows and games for children of all ages including a circus workshop, story-telling and Longdown Activity Farm has an interactive Show Farm.

There are also over 600 trade stands providing varied and unusual goods and produce – from large commercial companies to small local businesses.

Click here for more information.