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Okehampton Show
Okehampton Show will be back to its full glory
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Okehampton Show organisers, competitors and businesses from the South West are eagerly awaiting this year’s event – which is set to be back to its ’full glory’.
The 114th traditional Okehampton and District Agricultural Show will take place on Thursday, August 11th at its usual Stoney Park site, set against the beautiful Dartmoor backdrop. This traditional countryside event, where animals take pride of place, is a very popular day out with a chance to meet friends from far and near.
The show remains an important annual event for those who work and live in this beautiful area, as well as for tourist who enjoy visiting this rural part of England. It is a wonderful showcase for the best of agricultural and rural life and is a fantastic day out for all the family. With all day entertainment, there is plenty to see and do throughout the day, including a wide range of prize winning animals, delicious local food and drink, plenty of shopping, displays, children’s entertainment and much more. Okehampton show secretary Alison Heywood said that this year’s event is without restrictions and will be a proper celebration.
‘We have a full range of classes: cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and everything equine that you can think of. We also have a full range of trade stands - they are back in force this year. We will have a demonstration area of traditional craft and an open competition from bakery to flowers, vegetables, and children’s classes.
‘We are back to a full programme of entertainment around the show ground and we have a music stand, which has been moved to a bigger space as it becomes increasingly more popular. We have a falconry display, working dog displays and family dog shows. Our Grand Parade will be back in force as well.
This year’s President is Mr John Heard, an Okehampton farmer, who has taken over the role from 2021 President Mr J R Shields. Mr Heard said he was ‘honoured’ to have been given the title of president for the 114th Okehampton Show. [Read more on Mr Heard in this magazine on pages 8 and 9]. Alison, who took over as Okehampton Show secretary in 2020, added: ‘It’s a big day out for the whole family across the generations - there are not many other events where everyone is happy but there is plenty to do at the show for the whole family.’ Throughout the day there will be plenty of opportunities to purchase food and produce, and local drinks. Gates open at 9am and close at 5pm. Dogs welcome.
Tickets can be purchased from www.okehamptonshow.co.uk There is an ‘early bird’ deal which is available up until five days before the show. Advance discount tickets are £12 for adults and £4 for children (5 to 16) with family tickets at £28. Prices on the day are £15 for adults and family tickets will be £34. Please note that there are no concessions for students or senior citizens.
How to get there and parking information:
The address of the Showground is Stoney Park Showground, Holsworthy Road, Okehampton, EX20 1SW. Follow signs and stewards directions.
Travel by car:
From the A30, take the Sourton Cross (Tavistock) exit (if travelling from the Exeter direction this is the turnoff after Okehampton) and follow the signposts to the show.
Travel by bus:
A courtesy bus service is available from Okehampton town centre, starting at 10am and running all day. Car parking is free and just above the main showground. Disabled parking areas will be available within the main car park – these are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. The areas will be sited close to the main pedestrian entrance gate but fill up very quickly, so it is advised to arrive at the show as soon as possible to ensure a space.
Pictures courtesy of Richard Morris, Richmore Photography, and Emily Fleur Photography.
