Pristine poultry, spectacular sheep and comely cattle are just part of the attraction of the East London Agricultural Show which opened its gates at the Gonubie Farmers Hall this morning.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a mini circus, attend a game auction, watch polocrosse matches and show-jumping and listen to country music crooner Jason Bradley at the popular expo, which is in its 31st year.
Yesterday more than 200 stall holders as well as fun fair workers, farmers and exhibitors were hard at work setting up their stalls and marquees while outdoor convenor Fiona Eveleigh bustled about overseeing the rural set-up.
“This is the biggest agricultural show in the region and this year it is bigger than before. We have more new stalls including people selling beaded proteas and women’s clothes for the fuller figure, and various flea market stalls from Johannesburg,” she said. “There is also wine tasting in the hall this year.”
East London Agricultural Show president Theunis van der Vyver said farmers from all over the region including Stutterheim, Cathcart and the greater Buffalo City area had their “top class” livestock on show.
He said visitors to the show could take a seat on the grandstands and watch an auction by the Elliott Brothers Auctioneers tomorrow at 10am.
“A lot of buyers come here from all over the country to buy our cattle, goats and sheep.”
Populated by bidders wearing cowboy hats and boots, the game auction at lunchtime tomorrow will see rhinos, waterbuck, impalas, sable, blesbuck, springbok and warthog go under the hammer in the auction tent. Last year about 1700 animals were sold.
“This year will be even bigger than last year,” said Van der Vyver. “This is a sought-after area for cattle and game because this is a hartwater-free area and buyers come from all over South Africa because they don’t have to quarantine animals after buying them.”
In the squawking hen and rooster tent, the show’s poultry convenor Colin James was busy judging about 600 birds to establish the top three roosters, hens, cockerels and pullets in a variety of breeds.
“This is a popular tent. Most of the visitors walk through it,” said James.
“Some of the birds are for sale and people can pick up good quality birds for breeding. We breed not for slaughter but as a hobby.”
Van der Vyver said that while the agricultural equipment component of the agricultural show had “dwindled” over the years, it was back in full force this year.
“There is a big line-up of agricultural exhibits, like state-of-the art tractors that cost more than R1-million as well as drone helicopters for farm security patrols.”
For the less farming oriented, there will be a mini fun fair, shows by the Stardust Circus, performances by singer Kerry Hiles, live shows by Wild Coast FM, exhibitions of the latest models by East London motor car dealers and a beer tent.
Show cuisine includes Thai food, pancakes, Indian curry, chicken nuggets and chip and dip. “There will be lots to eat,” said Eveleigh.
lThe East London Agricultural Show starts today and runs until Monday, May 2. Opening times are from 8am to 6pm and entrance costs R30 for adults and R20 for children under 12. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
EL Show to be bigger, better and ‘top class’
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a mini circus, attend a game auction, watch polocrosse matches and show-jumping and listen to country music crooner Jason Bradley at the popular expo, which is in its 31st year.
Yesterday more than 200 stall holders as well as fun fair workers, farmers and exhibitors were hard at work setting up their stalls and marquees while outdoor convenor Fiona Eveleigh bustled about overseeing the rural set-up.
“This is the biggest agricultural show in the region and this year it is bigger than before. We have more new stalls including people selling beaded proteas and women’s clothes for the fuller figure, and various flea market stalls from Johannesburg,” she said. “There is also wine tasting in the hall this year.”
East London Agricultural Show president Theunis van der Vyver said farmers from all over the region including Stutterheim, Cathcart and the greater Buffalo City area had their “top class” livestock on show.
He said visitors to the show could take a seat on the grandstands and watch an auction by the Elliott Brothers Auctioneers tomorrow at 10am.
“A lot of buyers come here from all over the country to buy our cattle, goats and sheep.”
Populated by bidders wearing cowboy hats and boots, the game auction at lunchtime tomorrow will see rhinos, waterbuck, impalas, sable, blesbuck, springbok and warthog go under the hammer in the auction tent. Last year about 1700 animals were sold.
“This year will be even bigger than last year,” said Van der Vyver. “This is a sought-after area for cattle and game because this is a hartwater-free area and buyers come from all over South Africa because they don’t have to quarantine animals after buying them.”
In the squawking hen and rooster tent, the show’s poultry convenor Colin James was busy judging about 600 birds to establish the top three roosters, hens, cockerels and pullets in a variety of breeds.
“This is a popular tent. Most of the visitors walk through it,” said James.
“Some of the birds are for sale and people can pick up good quality birds for breeding. We breed not for slaughter but as a hobby.”
Van der Vyver said that while the agricultural equipment component of the agricultural show had “dwindled” over the years, it was back in full force this year.
“There is a big line-up of agricultural exhibits, like state-of-the art tractors that cost more than R1-million as well as drone helicopters for farm security patrols.”
For the less farming oriented, there will be a mini fun fair, shows by the Stardust Circus, performances by singer Kerry Hiles, live shows by Wild Coast FM, exhibitions of the latest models by East London motor car dealers and a beer tent.
Show cuisine includes Thai food, pancakes, Indian curry, chicken nuggets and chip and dip. “There will be lots to eat,” said Eveleigh.
lThe East London Agricultural Show starts today and runs until Monday, May 2. Opening times are from 8am to 6pm and entrance costs R30 for adults and R20 for children under 12. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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