The 2018 Stranraer Show is almost here with just one week to go until the big day. The Show will take place at its home, London Road Playing Field, Stranraer on Wednesday July 25th with this year’s show being the 174th to take place in the town! Plans have been in the making right through the winter months to ensure that this year’s show has something for everyone and is a great day out for the whole family.
Stranraer Show is renowned for its quality livestock and this year is promising to be no different with well supported classes for dairy, beef, sheep, goats and horses. The dairy section will be one of the largest in Scotland and Zwartbles sheep and Any Other Breed of Sheep Sections have proved very popular with exhibitors this year. Show Day really is when the Country comes to town and gives you the unique opportunity to meet some of the finest animals in the country. Highlights not to be missed will be the Young Handlers classes in the beef, sheep and dairy sections and make sure to catch the grand parade of livestock just after 2p.m.
The horse rings will be busy all day with showing classes in the morning and show jumping in the afternoon ensuring lots to enjoy for our equestrian enthusiasts. The Clydesdale driven class will be judged in the main ring too which is always a wonderful sight to see.
Entries in the baking and craft competitions are strong which means the Homecraft marquee will be well worth a visit. The junior section always has some wonderful exhibits and shows what talented young people we have living in the local area. The Homecraft marquee will also host the Inter WI competitions.
There will be loads going on in the Craft Marquee with a live cooking demonstration from Henry’s Bayhouse and The Meeting Place will be mixing up some fabulous cocktails. There are numerous stands in here too displaying and selling a wide selection of articles and produce from the local area. There will be cupcakes, sweets, home baking, greetings cards, soft furnishings, handbags, scarves, jewellery, candles, plants and so much more.
The main ring provides continuous entertainment on the day starting with the popular dog show, followed by a display by Glenluce Vintage Tractors. This year for our main ring act we are delighted to present “The Britalian Job” – a trio of red, white and blue Mini Coopers who will recreate the famous chase from The Italian Job. Great music and seamless precision driving are promised in a show full of fun, guaranteed to delight the whole family. The annual parade of livestock and presentation of prizes in the main ring is the highlight of the day and competitors collect their well-deserved trophies. Two Long Service Awards will also be presented.
There will be many trade stands to browse and fun fair rides for children. This year to tie in with Scotland’s Year of Young People we have a Young People’s Marquee. Entertainment in the marquee will be provided throughout the day by “The One and Only Award-winning Road Runner Children’s Entertainer”. Face painting and glitter tattoos will be available here too and we are very excited to announce that the wonderful Hannahston Alpacas will be joining us. There will be Sheep Shearing in the afternoon, live music provided by local band Acoustica, a display by The Blue Bombshells and a Tug o’ War competition organised by Stranraer & Rhins Young Farmers Club.
Again this year we ran our popular poster competition in the local primary schools to design a poster to promote the show. The winner this year was Ruth from Kirkcolm Primary School. There will be the opportunity to view Ruth’s winning design along with all the other prizewinning entries in the Young People’s marquee on show day and you can see Ruth’s fabulous design all over town on the show posters. The winning artists will also be presented with their prizes in the main ring at noon on show day.
As you can see this year’s Stranraer Show promises a wide variety to entertain all tastes. For further information about any aspect of the Show please contact Show Secretary Kathryn
Jamieson or follow us on Facebook to be kept up-to-date as the final preparations take place.
