WATCH: Balmoral show: Organisers expecting more than 115,000 visitors

Sun shines as agri spectacle opens its doors for 151st time

Author: Tara MclaughlinPublished 14th May 2019
Last updated 15th May 2019

Day one of the biggest event in the farming calendar is underway.

The Balmoral show is Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food celebration and 2019 marks its 151st year.

The event saw over 100,000 visitors in 2018 and organisers are hoping for even more.

Rhonda Geary is the Operations Director for the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society said: "We had 115,000 visitors last year and we're hoping to top that in 2019.

"In our main arena we have an adrenaline tour, motor cross display team participating and then over in arena three we have ferret racing, sheepdog trials and circus workshops that are all new for 2019."

The show opens on Wednesday from 0930-1800, Thursday from 0930-2000, Friday from 0930-1900 and Saturday 0930-1800.

The Main Arena has many attractions throughout the four days of the show including the Pony Club Games, the Under 10 Show Jumping Championship and The Children's Farm.

It is also home to International Showjumping classes at the show as well as the parade of cattle which showcases winners and breeds.

Rhonda told us the final day of the show will also be exciting:

"We're re-introducing our best dressed competition, our most appropriately dressed country lady and gent," she said.

"That'll be on the Saturday of the show so there's some really, nice new things at the Balmoral show this year.

"We're looking for lots of tweed, rather than dresses and fascinators, it's more the country style that we're going for."

Click here to see a timetable of the four days of the show