THE countdown is on to this year’s Castlewellan Show.
The show takes place in the beautiful setting of Castlewellan Forest Park on Saturday, July 19.
The organising committee welcomed sponsors and supporters to a launch event last Tuesday evening.
The show offers a fantastic, fun day out for all the family, with something for everyone. It is a one-day celebration of local farming, food and rural life.
Visitors can expect a variety of livestock classes, with thousands of animals being judged, including beef, dairy, sheep, horses, ponies, donkeys, pigs, poultry, rabbits and cavies.
Attractions include the ever-popular showjumping, impressive dog agility, pony games and a family pet show.
For younger visitors there is plenty to see and do, with children's entertainment, bouncy castles, face painting and much more.
A great variety of trade stands means there is something to suit all tastes, from cosmetics brand B Perfect, top clothing retailers Auld Forge Clothing and Edinburgh Outdoor Wear, not forgetting high end farm machinery to browse.
In the impressive Craft Village visitors will find local, homemade arts and crafts as well as original artwork by acclaimed artists.
Other highlights include the home industries marquee, where local schools get involved with some amazing displays.
The Food Village offers tasty local produce and this year there is a larger Eco Village, promoting the environment and sustainability. There will also be cookery demonstrations throughout the day from top local chefs promoting the very best of local agri-food.
Attractions this year include Mourne alpacas, sheep shearing in the Fleece Marquee, model farm displays, spinners and weavers, stick makers and displays by Seaforde Vintage Club, the PSNI and the NI Fire and Rescue Service,.
Castlewellan Integrated Choir will also be there and the popular Vintage Tea marquee returns, this year run by volunteers from Newcastle RNLI station.
The show’s chosen charity of the year is OG Cancer NI, which was formed to benefit patients and families affected by Oesophago-Gastric cancer. A proportion from all catalogue sales will be donated to the charity.
“A spokesperson said: “We have a range of musical acts performing on the main stage to delight the crowds, as well as dancing displays from the fantastic Jiving Gym and a new jiving competition.
“To end the show we have tug of war from County Down Young Farmers. With all this and much more, it’s a day out not to be missed.”
Discounted tickets can be purchased online now at castlewellanshow.com.