Crowds of 15,000 expected at Athlone Agri-Show

The organisers of Athlone Agri-Show are expecting crowds of between 15,000 and 20,000 to attend the show in Moydrum this Sunday, June 28. Chairman of the Agri-Show Michael Flanagan told the Westmeath Independent this week that depending on the weather they hoped to see between 15,000 and 20,000 at The Showgrounds, Gaffey"s Farm, Moydrum, on Sunday where there would be something for all the family. There will be prizes up for grabs in the bovine, ovine and equestrian sections of the show, but there will also be plenty of entertainment on the day in the form of music, fancy dress competitions, face-paiting and a cookery section. Now in its seventh year at its new location, the Athlone Agri-Show has grown in popularity and is one of only six shows around the country chosen by the RDS to stage a qualifier in the horse section for the 2009 RDS Breeders Championship. The bovine section is the traditional heart of any country show and this year there will be 89 classes plus many qualifiers for the National Livestock Show. In the equine section there will be 133 classes, including classes for brood mares and foals, young horses, pony classes, working hunter championship, equitation jumping, registered Welsh classes, Connemara pony classes, miniature horse section and of course donkey classes. Athlone Agri-Show is the only show in Ireland with nine horse arenas operating on show day. The organisers of the ovine section are expecting to see the biggest exhibition of sheep ever in the Midlands at the show on Sunday with all popular breeds catered for. The Beltex All Ireland Championships is being held for the third year in Athlone and a very big entry is expected. The Irish Goat Producers Association, in conjunction with Athlone Agri-Show, will stage its All Ireland Summer Goat Show for the third time in Athlone where well in excess of 100 goats are expected to participate. The dog show, kindly sponsored by Paws Pet Shop Athlone, has grown out of all proportion in recent years. Entries will be taken on the field and the dog show will commence at 1pm sharp. There will also be a variety of other shows on the day, including a farrier display, children"s penalty shoot, egg and spoon race, bouncy castles, quad bikes, slides, a gladiator arena, face painting, fancy dress, music from the Mighty Chicks and bar facilities, with a big screen in the beer garden to cater for sports fans. The Guinness/Heineken Inter Pub Tug-O-War Competition is one of the highlights of the evening along with the Sheaf Tossing and both Co-ordinators Pat Carty and Tom Fox are confident of a big turnout for the pull. With trade stands, a cookery section and bonny baby competition and a vintage display, there is plenty to keep the onlooker entertained. Admission price to the Agri-Show at Gaffey"s Farm, Moydrum, is only €10. The show is open from 10am to 6pm with free car parking adjacent to the showgrounds.