60,000 people expected to visit Dorset County Show

The agricultural show at Dorchester Showground is set to make a bigger and better comeback today with gates opening at 8.30am.

There will be plenty of new areas and entertainment for visitors to enjoy, including the highly anticipated world’s largest monster trucks, which will be wowing the crowds with spectacular car-crushing stunts.

Lisa Cartwright, Company Secretary of the Dorset County Show said: “Everybody is so excited; we can’t wait to finally open the doors – it will be nice to get everybody onto the showground.

“We are expecting around 60,000 visitors and ticket sales are up from last year.”

Organisers and exhibitors have been tirelessly setting up to get the ground ready for the big show days.

Lisa added: “Everybody is on site, all the traders and exhibitors – and the monster trucks.

Monster Trucks (Image: Hollie Carr)

“There will be lots of entertainment and things to see and do – it’s all systems go.”

Lisa said between 350 and 400 members of ground crew help set up the event and make it possible, adding that ‘it all started from a team of two.’

She described today, Saturday, as ‘an ideal show day’ with temperatures set to reach a high of 23 degrees, with a less than five per cent chance of rain during the majority of the day.

Today visitors can catch a glimpse of ferret racing, scurry racing and falconry as well as many other exciting events.

There will also be plenty of livestock rings where activities and judging will be taking place throughout the day from goats, to pigs and cows.

Some of the first cows to be unloaded (Image: Hollie Carr)

The showground appears to be looking even bigger and better than last year and yesterday, organisers and those involved were extremely busy setting up.

Empty animal pens were starting to be filled up with livestock, all ready for the weekend.

A huge homecraft marquee will also welcome exhibits of sewing to cooking plus a massive horticultural and floral tent.

Shopping at the Avenue (Image: Hollie Carr)

Food and drink fans can take advantage of the all-new Food and Drink Area which is set to boast the best of British with a particular focus on Dorset produce, although visitors are invited to make use of the new picnic areas.

There will also be live music and a funfair at the event.

The show will continue tomorrow (Sunday).

Tickets can be purchased at the gate for £23 and to find out more, visit: www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk.