Big days planned for Perth Show

WITH two Scottish National cattle shows added to the schedule, Perth Show is set to welcome more than 1200 head of livestock at what will be the society’s 155th event. 
Held on the South Inch, in the centre of the ‘Fair City’, the show will also welcome a strong line-up of light and heavy horses, sheep, donkeys and goats on Friday and Saturday, August 4 and 5. 
Organisers of this year’s event are promising one of the best shows ever with trade stands, side shows, entertainment, activities, music and parades added to the bumper entry of live stock. 
The show is set to host the second Highland Cattle Gathering as well as the Scottish National Simmental Show, and is likely to attract the country’s largest gatherings of the breeds this year. 
Show chairman, Peter Stewart, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to host these two crowd-pleasers on the Saturday. Both national events are staged at county shows around the country and Perth is delighted to welcome back the Scottish National Simmental Show in its landmark 10th year, having previously hosted the event on it’s first and fifth anniversaries.
“Highland cattle are always hugely popular with the crowds at Perth Show. We would expect to see some of the finest cattle in the country on show at the National Gathering,” said Mr Stewart. 
As well as an array of agricultural livestock and stands, the show will welcome back the ‘Perthshire on a Plate’ food festival, organised by the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and supported by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The two-day festival will run in partnership with the show and feature celebrity and local chefs, demonstrations and tastings, food and drink related trade stands and a large dining area and pop-up restaurants in a double celebration of food and farming
Building on the success of last year’s demonstration area, Perth will showcase the skills of demonstration wood crafters, beekeepers, farriers, wool spinners and crook makers, and will play host to the entire Scottish team from the world championships, which has won the title for two years on the trot and is aiming for a third. 
The four-man squad, headed up by Tealing-based Jim Balfour, will put on a series of demonstrations for the public ahead of the world championships held in England, in September.
Society secretary, Neil Forbes, said: “This year’s show will continue to feature many of the traditional aspects of agricultural shows, valued by generations of farmers, as well as the new and exciting visitor attractions.
“The two-day event promises lots to see and do – whether it be pouring over the latest state-of-the-art agricultural machinery, admiring the finest four-legged competitors, watching a celebrity chef in action, trying your hand on a challenging sideshow, enjoying hospitality at one of the many trade and business stands, stopping for a tasty bite or a brew at the food marquee, delighting in the show ring stars, shopping from the wide variety of goods and crafts or cheering on your favourite tug-of-war team,” enthused Neil. 
“Perth Show is a key feature on the city’s annual calendar of events and a great day out for all the family,” he added.