An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show (a judged event or display in which breeding stock is exhibited), a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment. The work and practices of farmers, animal fanciers, cowboys and zoologists may be displayed. The terms agricultural show and livestock show are sometimes used synonymously.
A show is the Commonwealth term for an annual country fair.
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Overview
In Australia, the show is an important part of cultural life. Shows range from small events in small country towns usually lasting two days, through medium-sized events of three days, to the all-encompassing Royal Shows in state capitals, which may run for up to two weeks and combine many elements of an amusement park with those of an agricultural show. Although increasingly under pressure due to finances and insurance concerns, all main towns have a Show Society and in some areas, several towns and villages in the area all have an annual show. Larger shows often include live entertainment and fireworks in the main arena.
A distinctive feature of Australian shows is the showbag, a themed carry bag of commercial goods.
Competitions commonly included in shows include:
- Campdrafting
- Cooking
- Stud and commercial livestock
- Jams and preserves
- Photography
- Wood chopping
- Sheaf tossing
- Demolition Derby
- Show jumping
- Tent pegging
- Wine
- Rodeo
- Arts and crafts
- Horse show
- Dog shows, including sheepdog trials
- Cat shows
Field days
Related to a show is the "field day", with elements of a trade show for machinery, equipment and skills required for broadacre farming. Field days typically do not involve livestock, showbags or sideshows, but may include events such as ploughing competitions not usually associated with shows due to the larger space required. In some communities in northern England Field Days (or Club Days) have lost their agricultural character and have become community celebrations.
List of Royal Shows
Australia
- Royal Adelaide Show
- Royal Bathurst Show
- Alice Springs Royal Show
- Royal Queensland Show (The Ekka)
- Royal Canberra Show
- Royal Darwin Show
- Royal Geelong Show
- Royal Hobart Show
- Royal Launceston Show
- Royal Melbourne Show
- Perth Royal Show
- Sydney Royal Easter Show
Canada
New Zealand
- Auckland Royal Easter Show
- Royal New Zealand Show[1]
South Africa
- The Royal Show - Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
United Kingdom
- Great Yorkshire Show[2]
- Royal Show – Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
- Royal Highland Show – Ingliston, Edinburgh
- Royal Norfolk Show – Costessey near Norwich, Norfolk
- Royal Welsh Show – Builth Wells, Powys
- Royal Bath and West Show – Shepton Mallet, Somerset
- Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show – Wadebridge, Cornwall
- Tendring Hundred Show, Essex
Ireland
List of other major agricultural and livestock shows
Argentina
Australia
France
New Zealand
United Kingdom
- Great Yorkshire Show – Harrogate, North Yorkshire
- Monmouth Show – Monmouth, Monmouthshire
- The East of England Show – Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
- North Devon Show
- Shropshire and West Midlands Show
- Newport Show – Newport, Shropshire
- The New Forest and Hampshire County Show
- Kent County Agricultural Society and Show
United States
- American Royal – Kansas City, Missouri
- National Western Stock Show – Denver, Colorado (Largest in the world)
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – Houston, Texas
- Pennsylvania Farm Show – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo – San Antonio, Texas
- Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo – Fort Worth, Texas
- North American International Livestock Exposition – Louisville, Kentucky
- Clay County Fair – Spencer, Iowa
- Farm Progress Show – Decatur, Illinois and Boone, Iowa (Alternate years)
- National Farm Machinery Show – Louisville, Kentucky
See also
References
- ^ http://www.royalshow.co.nz
- ^ "Greatest show on turf opens gates". BBC News. 8 July 8, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/7494688.stm. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
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