10th Athlone Agri-Show to take place in Moydrum on Sunday

The 10th Athlone Agri-Show is set to attract large crowds when it takes place in the Showgrounds at Gaffey's Farm, Moydrum, this Sunday, June 24. The official launch of the Show was held in The Bounty Bar & Restaurant on Monday, June 11, when Chairman David Fenton welcomed all present and thanked them for their attendance. At the launch Mr Fenton congratulated Westmeath Rose Aisling Baker and wished her luck in the forthcoming Rose of Tralee contest. He said that the officers and committee of the Athlone Agri-Show were delighted and privileged to support Aisling and are looking forward to her participation in the Agri-Show presenting the various prizewinners with their awards on show day. He complimented the co-ordinators and their committees for the tremendous work they had put in over the last nine months in arranging such a big and varied schedule of events and thanked them for their time and expertise. Mr Fenton also thanked the Gaffey family for the use of the showgrounds, now recognised as one of the top showgrounds in Ireland. "Without our sponsors we would not be able to continue to run an Agri-Show & Food Festival and for your continued loyal support may I say a very special thank you to all of you sponsors," he said, mentioning in particular the Show's main sponsor Athlone Town Council, which was represented at the launch by Mayor Alan Shaw. Mr Fenton stressed the importance of side attractions for the thousands of patrons who like a good family day out, with a variety stands and amusements for the young and not so young. He said the Made in the Midlands Food Village had been a roaring success last year and this year that space has been booked out for what should be a classic exhibition of the best of Irish produce fro m the Midlands. The food village is sponsored by Westmeath County Enterprise Board and the Fatted Calf Restaurant Glasson. Co-ordinator Lynda McFarland said the food village allows the local producers and suppliers to meet directly with their customer, relay the benefit of their produce and hopefully encourage shoppers to support Irish business. The food village is a must visit for all foodies, where you will be able to witness various food demonstrations, taste the product and then have the opportunity to buy the very best of Irish produce produced on your doorstep. Mary Dooner, the Equine co-ordinator Mary Dooner has a total of 134 classes for adjudication, including classes for Brood Mares and Foals, Qualifier for the RDS 2012 Breeders C/ship. Horse &, Pony classes, Working Hunter, Equitation Jumping Championship, registered Welsh classes, Connemara Pony classes, Miniature Horse section, Dressage in ring 9, with six classes and of course classes for the good old Donkey. There are numerous qualifiers in the horse and pony sections with some very valuable silverware to be won including the Brendan Gaffey Cup for the Champion Young Horse. Showjumping with Clair Gaffey and the Finals of the Winter League is always a big attraction with up to 150 competitors expected. In the Bovine Section co-ordinator Michael Flanagan has 89 showing classes plus many qualifiers for the National Livestock Show. In the pedigree section most of the Beef breeds are catered for with the big prize here being the €500 'Angus Bull for the Stars' and the Connacht Gold €500 Interbreed Championship where local branch manager Jack Moran is expecting to see some top quality pedigree stock. A very popular class is the AIB €1000 All Ireland Baby Beef Championship sponsored by AIB Athlone. Kepak Group Kilbeggan and Ballymahon is again sponsoring the Kepak €1,000 All Ireland Super Beef Heifer Championship, while Michael Moore Car Sales, Athlone, is sponsoring the €1000 All Ireland Super Beef Bullock Championship and with no weight or age limits. Michael Flanagan is expecting one of the biggest entries to date especially in the commercial section with such attractive prize money on offer. The magnificent hardworking committee in the Ovine section is expecting to see the biggest exhibition of sheep ever in the midlands on Sunday. Ovine Co-ordinator Colm Mee is expecting a big entry for the Cross Bred All Ireland Finals and once again Kepak Athleague is sponsoring the Kepak €500 Factory Lamb Competition, which had a huge entry last year. Other attractions at Athlone Agri-Show will include the 'All Ireland Summer Goat Show'; the cookery section; the poultry section where co-ordinator Patrick Hynes is expecting well over 300 birds for adjudication; trade stands, which will include farm machinery, motor cars, garden equipment and lots more. There will also be a number of side shows on the day and co-ordinator Andy O'Donohue has lined up a variety of fun and games for all the children including a Water Bubble of Fun and Body Shocker, Mini Digger and the Duck Pond, Children's Potato Picking Competition, Sheep Racing, Score the Euro Goal, Jump for Joy with Bouncy Castles, Quad Bikes, Slides, Gladiator Arena plus all the kiddies entertainment, Glamorous Granny, Bonny Baby Show, Master and Miss Athlone. There will also be a Punch & Judy Show, a tug o' war and sheaf tossing, a super dog show and Baylin District Game and Conservation Club will be exhibiting, while Baylin Development Committee will be holding a car boot sale. There will also be musical entertainment and a beer garden, where the big screen will show Euro 2012 and GAA matches. The prizewinners in the Waltzing Competition will give a waltzing exhibition during the afternoon and everyone is invited to take the floor. The showground will be open from 8am for exhibitors and 10am for the general public and the official opening will be performed by Mayor Alan Shaw at 11.30am. Admission is €10, kids go free and there is free parking.