Local legend has it that the sun always shines on The Royal Cheshire County Show. And with weather reports improving ever-so-slightly, 2019 looks more likely to fall in line with that tradition. So, wellies in one hand, shades in the other, get ready to celebrate everything we love about rural life in Cheshire with our at-a-glance guide to this year’s highlights
1. Learn about livestock
Aside from the display rings where you can see the finest cattle, pigs and sheep in all their splendour, make time to pop in to the Morrisons Agri-Centre where there will be sheep shearing, calf feeding and cow milking demonstrations as well as piglets and chicks. Local farmers will also be exhibiting the crops they grow and there'll be children's cookery lessons on offer. It's all an interactive class on how the best Cheshire food is produced.
2. Meet your gourmet guru
TV Chef, Rosemary Shrager, is upping the celebrity chef ante in the Roberts Bakery Food Live Theatre. Renowned for passing on her haute cuisine skills to the most novice of culinary keenies, the cookery school owner, and one-time 'I'm a Celebrity…' contestant will no doubt serve up a masterclass of foodie inspiration.
3. Be Amazed by the Monster Trucks
Big Pete & the Grim Reaper Monster Truck team are back with a show to thrill audiences of all ages. These 7.5tons monsters of mass destruction will be crushing caravans, hurdling cars and jumping 15ft in the air. It's the stuff Top Gear dreams are made of!
4. See some major horse power
Don't miss the International Dzhigitovka Show in the Main Ring. You'll witness never-before-seen stunts straight from Russia, blindfolded feats and a human pyramid on horseback. The show will be the first time in history British, Russian and International Cossack rider will perform together here in the UK.
5. Be inspired in the floral marquee
Fantastic flowers and stunning designs await you in this year's floral marquee. There will be live demonstrations by florists Mark Entwistle and Alison Cooper, have-a-go hands-on sessions where children and adults and take their designs home with them and, of course, the competitions when entrants will put their imagination and skill to the test - always with beautiful and though-provoking results.
6. Do a DIY cheese & wine tasting
You can't come to the Cheshire show and not have some Cheshire cheese. The cheese section has more than 30 classes with exhibitors coming from across the UK while the Wine Section gives you the chance to view - and potentially sample if they're feeling generous - an incredible range of homemade wines. Sip up.
7. Relax by The Village Green
Need to take the weight off your Hunters? Settle down next to The Village Green with live entertainment from Morris Dancers, the Knutsford, Sandbach and Warrington Rock Choirs, U3A Brass Band and vocalist Bethany Kate. Grab a bite to eat from one of the numerous food stalls and wander over to the Tabley Eye to get a better view of goings on from the top of the ground's giant Ferris wheel.
For more details go to https://www.royalcheshireshow.org/