Proud to be its media partner, Cotswold Life takes a sneak peek at the action-packed line-up promised for this year’s Cotswold Show & Food Festival, taking place on July 2 and 3 at Cirencester Park.

Winners of the coveted Cotswolds Tourism Event of the Year award and Highly Commended by Visit England in 2015, over 30,000 visitors flocked to last year’s Cotswold Show & Food Festival, and this year’s packed programme of family fun and entertainment promises to exceed all expectations.

Taking place this year on July 2 & 3, the Cotswold Show & Food Festival is hosted by its founder, Earl Bathurst, in beautiful Cirencester Park. Now in its 28th year, it remains one of the Cotswolds’ most popular rural events, with its winning mix of family entertainment, activity arenas, and 300 trade stands and food stalls, showcasing the best of the British countryside, its history, traditions and produce.

It’s all thrills and no spills in the Show’s Bathurst Arena this year. Horse lovers are invited to place your bets for this year’s fast and furious Shetland Pony Grand National as competitors battle it out over a gruelling course of fences to qualify for a place at this year’s London International Horse Show, raising money for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust in the process.

Swapping four legs for four wheels, a parade of vintage and classic tractors dating back to the 1920s looks set to delight all ages and, from four wheels to two, the army’s Royal Signals White Helmets motorcycle display team – said to be the best in world - will provide a breathtaking show of motorcycle skills, acrobatics and stunt riding.

New for this year, the Show welcomes StageSmart, Cirencester’s talented performing arts academy, who will be putting on a mini concert in the park, with local music groups, choirs and a few West End performers too…

The Show’s Apsley Arena is all about animals, providing the central stage for rare breeds, pig handling, dog agility and sheep-shearing displays and, as no country fair is complete without a dog show, this year’s K9 Freestyle Dancing Dog Display promises foot-tapping entertainment from top trainer Richard Curtis and his pack of performing partners!

Originally founded as a showcase for countryside pursuits, Show visitors can expect to learn all about traditional rural skills through demonstrations and hands-on experience. Have a go at shooting clays, archery and even ferret handling, and watch the experts at work in displays of falconry, saddlery, beekeeping, wood carving and more.

With 300 trade stands and two craft marquees, you can shop until you drop at this year’s Show, browsing local and household names selling clothing, jewellery, pet accessories, paintings, and much more. (We’ll be looking at the Show’s shopping opportunities in next month’s issue.)

Then, there’s food glorious food! A recent addition to the programme, the Show’s Food Festival demonstrates the region’s appetite for the world-class food and drink we are lucky enough to have right here on our doorstep. Some 70 food and drink producers will be featured in this year’s Food Hall and the Cookery Theatre, introduced last year, is back. Read more about the Show’s line-up of award-winning chefs and Cotswold venues in the second part of this Cotswold Show & Food Festival preview next month.

The brainchild of Earl Bathurst, the Show owes its success, not just to its winning family-friendly format, but to the vital role it plays in introducing town dwellers to the countryside. “The Show champions the beautiful British countryside,” Earl Bathurst says, “and we work hard to promote respect and understanding of local countryside skills and professions and the challenges many of them face today.”

With the help of its visitors, The Cotswold Show & Food Festival continues to raise valuable funds to support local charities, including Cirencester Hospital League of Friends, Great Western Air Ambulance, Blue Cross and the Royal British Legion and once again the Show’s sponsors make a vital contribution, with 2016 partners BPE Solicitors and Moore Allen & Innocent headlining the impressive list of local business sponsors and supporters.

For further information about the Cotswold Show & Food Festival and to buy advance discounted tickets, visit: www.cotswoldshow.co.uk

WIN two VIP tickets to this year’s Cotswold Show and Food Festival and dinner, bed and breakfast for two at the King’s Head in Cirencester

Stay at the sumptuous King’s Head on Friday, July, 1 before visiting the festival on Saturday, July, 2 with priority parking, access to the VIP marquee, lunch and complimentary drinks all day.

To enter please answer the question below...

Q: In which year did the King’s Head, Cirencester re-open after a restoration programme?

Submit your answer here

Terms & conditions: Competition closes at midday, Friday, May 27. Entrants must be 18 years or older. Dates are not transferrable. No cash alternative is offered. Full Archant terms and conditions can be found at www.cotswoldlife.co.uk