THE finishing touches have been put on the sell-out Great Yorkshire Show, as the agricultural event gets set to welcome 140,000 visitors this week.
The 165th Great Yorkshire Show begins tomorrow for four days of agricultural excellence, entertainment, and the chance to see thousands of animals take to the competition rings.
Tickets for the show sold out across all four days last week, with visitors set to enjoy the very best of farming, food and countryside.
From world-class showjumping to the finest cattle, goats, pigs and sheep, as well as cheese and dairy competitions, there are more than 12,000 entries across 21 sections.
Today saw the finishing touches being put to displays, including the Grimme Potato Harvester V470 Platinum which, at nearly 4m wide, 13 metres long and 3.6 metres tall, will be on the President’s Lawn in honour of this year’s President Martin Cockerill.
Martin’s distinguished career has been dedicated to the potato industry, having joined RS Cockerill York Ltd with his father who established the family business in the 1930s.
Show Director Charles Mills said: “This is where the best of farming food and countryside comes together for farmers and the public.
"Where else can you find the finest cattle alongside the best showjumpers in the country?
“The competition is fierce throughout the week and the accolade of winning at the Great Yorkshire remains huge.
"We are very proud of the show and all who come together to help deliver it. We are sure visitors will have a fantastic time.”
Famous farming faces from the world of TV can be found on The Vertu Motors GYS Stage.
Helen Skelton, Adam Henson, Peter Wright of The Yorkshire Vet, and Rob and Dave Nicholson from Cannon Hall Farm are all appearing in chat shows hosted by TV’s Christine Talbot there.
With more than 2,000 horses, ponies and donkeys competing, equine classes are an integral part of the show, and this year is no different, with two new categories introduced.
It will be the first time the Horse of the Year Show qualifier, for the British Ridden Heavy Horses, will take place in the ring at the event, where you the public can giants such as Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolk Punches and Percherons.
There will also be a craft beer bar in the Food Hall for the first time.
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