The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is on Wednesday August 14th and Thursday August 15th this year, staying with the two day format which has proved so popular with visitors for the last two years. North Dorset’s biggest agricultural event celebrates 30 years at Turnpike Showground this year, and show organiser Cat Harris has lined up two full days of entertainment for the whole family.
This year, stars of the show will undoubtedly be Joseph’s Amazing Camels – you’ve no doubt already seen them in Disney and Marvel movies – who will be entertainig the crowds in the main ring with some spectacular camel racing.
The main ring will also be the place to enjoy the Shetland pony racing, competitive showjumping and everyone’s favourite, the Grand Parade of Livestock. Agriculture has always been the heart of the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, and the Grand Parade allows visitors to see the show champions and all the prize-winning livestock parade around the ring – it is a spectacle not to be missed. Plus there’s ferret racing, skilled gun dog demonstrations, falconry displays and heavy horses!
Everyone enjoys a wander through the Horticulture Marquee – last year more than 1,500 entries across the flowers, vegetables and cookery competitions.
Due to popular demand, the show has expanded its opening hours this year, and after the main gates close at 6pm on the Wednesday, visitors on a day ticket can stay into the evening to enjoy live music from great local bands while the bars and pop-up food stalls stay open until 10.30pm
Adults £18, 5 to 16s £3. Family ticket at early-bird prices £41 (two adults and two children). gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk
The G&S Show welcomes dogs on leads and offers mobility scooters for hire.
