The 76th Virginia Agricultural Show will be launched by Joe Healy, President of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), on Wednesday, August 23.
Last year this celebration of rural life attracted approximately 15,000 people.
The committee of over 200, chaired by Patrick Gaynor, has secured prize money of €50,000 for almost 500 classes in this year’s show.
The programme will feature: 300 trade stands; live entertainment; artisan food producers; a cookery demonstration; fashion shows; sheep shearing demonstrations; and children’s entertainment.
One of the highlights of the show is the €10,000 Diageo Baileys Irish Champion Dairy Cow Competition, in association with Glanbia Ireland.
Two popular classes are the All-Ireland Male/Female Weanling Championships, sponsored by Gunne Carnaross Mart.
The Liffey Meats €2,000 Champion Super Beef Bullock is another competitive class.
Other big competitions include: the Clerkins Virginia Veterinary Practice Charolais Classes; the North Eastern Club Charolais Junior Champion Final; the North Eastern Club Simmental Junior Champion Final; the AW Ennis Interbreed Champion; and the Francie Brady Charolais Champion of the Show
There will also be classes for goats and poultry on the day.
The show will host the Fleetwood Paints Amateur Art Competition. Also taking place will be the McEvoy’s Supervalu ICA Guild Skills of the Year Contest and the Riverfront Bar and Restaurant Pastry Competition,
The trade stands will showcase: home wares; garden equipment; fashion; artwork; and jewellery. There will also be a trade mall and food hall.
Aiming to promote all that is good in rural Ireland, Virginia Show has grown from concentrating solely on agriculture to embracing a wider vision of country living, attracting visitors from throughout the country and the UK.