Gusting winds of 30km/h, which blew tents and stalls over, failed to dampen the 31st East London Agricultural Show at the weekend, and by yesterday morning the five-day exhibition of all things country had attracted up to 15000 visitors.
Equestrian events like show jumping and polocrosse championships were well supported with riders from as far afield as Port Elizabeth, Komani (formerly Queenstown) and Cathcart taking part.
Van der Vyver said the only downside was when a young girl from Komani unfortunately broke her leg when she fell off a horse.
At the fleamarket exhibits, where everything from Barbie beds to biltong could be found, Pretoria sculptor Moses Kenias told the Daily Dispatch he was “over-excited” about how well his jacaranda wood bunnies, meerkats and proteas had sold. “I have sold 80% of my stock.”
The SAPS forensic services display also drew interested crowds, with people queuing to see how wearing orange-tinted spectacles could make fingerprints that had been dusted with fluorescent powder appear on a variety of surfaces.
In a corner of the hall, vintage shop owner Carmen Sporke from Port Elizabeth said jewellery made of old watch parts and fur hats from the 1950s had been been popular.
Van der Vyver said planning for the next show, which is held on land owned by a committee of farmers and community members, would begin in November. “We are going to plant more grass and we need to put up even more stables because the equestrian events are growing.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Bad weather? Nothing stops booming show
Equestrian events like show jumping and polocrosse championships were well supported with riders from as far afield as Port Elizabeth, Komani (formerly Queenstown) and Cathcart taking part.
Van der Vyver said the only downside was when a young girl from Komani unfortunately broke her leg when she fell off a horse.
At the fleamarket exhibits, where everything from Barbie beds to biltong could be found, Pretoria sculptor Moses Kenias told the Daily Dispatch he was “over-excited” about how well his jacaranda wood bunnies, meerkats and proteas had sold. “I have sold 80% of my stock.”
The SAPS forensic services display also drew interested crowds, with people queuing to see how wearing orange-tinted spectacles could make fingerprints that had been dusted with fluorescent powder appear on a variety of surfaces.
In a corner of the hall, vintage shop owner Carmen Sporke from Port Elizabeth said jewellery made of old watch parts and fur hats from the 1950s had been been popular.
Van der Vyver said planning for the next show, which is held on land owned by a committee of farmers and community members, would begin in November. “We are going to plant more grass and we need to put up even more stables because the equestrian events are growing.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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