BALLYMENA SHOW 2010 – PRESS RELEASE

Come and see what is on offer at Ballymena Show on Saturday 29^th May 2010 (Horses only on Friday 28^th May – Trade Stands NOT OPEN).  The Committee have been working hard to ensure a good day out will be had by all, whether you are an Exhibitor taking part in the competitions for Horses, Ponies, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Poultry and Crafts, or if you are a visitor to watch the Judging and check out the Trade Stands with Cosmetics, Painting, Ceramics, Health Products, Baking, Jewellery, Handbags, Cars, Machinery, Garden Equipment, Books, Horticulture – to name but a few.

Try the delights of Toasted Waffles, Crepes, Donuts, Honeycomb, Candy Floss, Ice-cream, Hog Roast as well as free range Bacon Butties & Hot Dogs. Test your skills at Archery and Air Rifle Shooting while the Young Farmers have fun and games to win prize money for charity – lots of water will be involved. Get your body checked over for Blood Pressure, Diabetes and BMI at the Lloyds Pharmacy stand or why not try your hand at Stock Judging in this fun competition with all proceeds going to Kawaha Goat Project.  Watch the Young Handlers being put through their paces in controlling the animals – entries taken on day.

The rural community was recently described by the Irish President, as the ‘Absolute Backbone of Ireland’ and it is wonderful to bring the Country to the Town in Ballymena, offering the opportunity to build business links and show off the best of our livestock and crafts to the general public.

 Changes in Horse Section: -

Friday 28^th May will commence with Horse Jumping at 9.30am and Horse Showing classes from 1.00pm including the prestigious RDS Breeders Championship Qualifier.  New for this year is a class for ex race horses with prizes sponsored by Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen.  Tickets will be on sale for a ballot to raise money in support of the rehabilitation of these animals once their career has ended.  Unfortunately Northern Ireland does not have an official rehabilitation centre but the famous Moscow Flyer Centre is available in the Republic of Ireland. The horse parade on Friday will be led by a pair of Fresian horses with a cart, kindly supplied by Mr George Fawcett – watch the high stepping action of this ancient breed of horses.

Mounted & Pony Club Games: -

Children and young adults will be taking part in these team games on Friday 28^th May from 4.30pm onwards.  Teams will be racing against the clock, around obstacles, mounting and dismounting at top speeds.

Prizes Galore: -         

Ballymena Show pays out over £19,000 in prize money and numerous vouchers and

awards to exhibitors and this year there are lots of competitions which can be entered on

the day.

Show Newspaper: - Thanks are extended to staff at Click NI for collating and printing the show newspaper which will be delivered to 20,000 homes before the show.

Dress to Impress: -   

Vouchers courtesy of Wallaces of Church Street and David Bellingham Menswear will

be awarded to the most appropriately dressed man and woman – so check the weather

forecast before you leave for the Show on Saturday morning and impress the Judges.

Pets: -

Bring along your pets and win prizes sponsored by Jollyes Pet Store, Ballymena.  Classes include – Most Adorable Puppy (6-12mths old) – Happiest Wagging Tail Dog – Cuddliest Pet Rabbit – Most Original Fancy Dressed Pet & Best Groomed Pet.  Entries will be taken from 1.30pm, while a pet farm will be on display all day Saturday.     

Woolley Pigs: - 

This is not a joke as a pair of these Mangalitza Pigs will be on display courtesy of Mr Robert Boyle from Millisle.  These originate from Austria/Hungary and hopefully they will have had a visit to the hairdressers to get their curls set before attending Ballymena Show.

Artist Blacksmith: -

Local Artist Blacksmith, Aaron Leach from Islandmagee will be demonstrating his skills, having gained a degree in Artist Blacksmithing.  Aaron forges iron, brass, bronze and copper in a coal forge using a hammer, anvil and various traditional tools, making both traditional blacksmithing items as well as contemporary art work.

Mid-Antrim Road Race Launch: -

On display will be a variety of Classic and Racing Bikes to officially launce 2010 Mid-Antrim 150 Road Race.  In attendance will be local dignatories and riders to chat to the public about their experience in this thrilling sport.

Best Show Photo: -

Bring along your camera to catch the action at Ballymena show 2010 and submit your best photo(s) to the Show Office (entry is free) by the end of June along with your name, address and telephone number or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   to be in with a chance of winning a family portrait to the value of £350 kindly sponsored and judged by Portfolio, Ballymena.

Shearing: -

As always the Shearing competitions are very popular with spectators and entries will be taken on Show Day for Open, Senior, Intermediate and Junior classes commencing at 12.30pm.  Ballymena Show is lucky to have the support of the NI Sheep Shearers Association to assist in the organisation of this section, with a prize fund of £700.

Entries: -

Staff and Committee are delighted with entry levels in all of the sections especially the Cattle with an increase of over 20%.  The new Junior Beef and Dairy classes kindly sponsored by Coleman Feeds have proved very popular for animals born after 1^st March 2009.  Judging will commence at 10.00am on the Nampak Judging Lawn with commentary throughout the day by Sam Coleman and the Cattle Parade taking place at approx 2.00 - 2.30pm.

Sheep and Goats will once again be sited in the Main Arena with entry to this Section for all Exhibitors via Warden Street.  Level of entries in this section remain similar to last year, and Vaughan Byrne will be providing commentary during the day to keep you informed and amused  The Poultry Hall and Craft Marquees will be closed during Judging on Friday and will open to the public at 9.00am on Saturday. The schools section continues to grow with classes for Baking, Poetry, Crafts, Photography, Painting and lots more including Floral Art.

Grant: -

Whilst thanks are extended to all our Sponsors and Donors, special mention must be made of the Community Festival Fund, which is available for all events such as ourselves, through Ballymena Borough Council, with grants available of up to £5,000. 

Sponsors:-

Recession has hit us all but Ballymena Show Committee deeply appreciate the support of all Sponsors and Donors who contribute towards the prize money, offer awards and vouchers and in some cases services used by the event.