Published: 19:00, May 31, 2022
The Suffolk Show has returned triumphant after being canceled for two years due to the Covid pandemic.
Tens of thousands of people flocked to Trinity Park, near Ipswich, on the first day of the show, battling the threat of wet weather hanging in the air.
At the event, the occasional rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm of most visitors who took the opportunity to see family features and reunite with old friends and acquaintances they may not have seen since 2019.
Much of the event will have been well-known to many visitors, but organizers estimate that about a quarter of the tickets purchased in advance were sold to people who had never been there.
The mix of agricultural classes – for many people their only chance to see farm animals in the flesh – the commercial stands sell everything from a harvester to a strawberry smoothie, to a selection of Exciting live entertainment at the Big Ring gave everyone a chance to enjoy. themselves.
Show director Bruce Kerr was unable to figure out how many visitors had passed through the turnstiles, but said there had been a record number of ticket sales before the same day.
2022 Suffolk Show Director Bruce Kerr. – Credit: Paul Geater
He said: “I was talking to the team at one of the doors and they told me that people started coming in as soon as it opened at 7am and the last person came in just before 4am. late.
“Just looking around you can see how much work there is. There has been a fantastic turnout.”
The doors opened at 7 a.m. – when this photo was taken – and kept busy until 4 p.m. – Credit: Charlotte Bond
What gave him the most satisfaction was the number of happy children he had found.
“I’ve talked to a lot of families today when they’re standing at the door: the kids are really excited about the animals and so many other attractions here.”
Show directors serve a three-year term that usually means preparing three shows, but for Kerr this has been his only Suffolk Show as a director.
But over the past three years, the Suffolk Agricultural Society has faced particular challenges.
He said: “That’s what it’s really about, but we’ve seen a lot of different uses here, especially as a vaccination center last year.”
Its deputy director Tony Pulham helped bring together the very popular Platinum Years exhibition.
He said: “Sometimes you hear people say ‘It’s always the same,’ but it really isn’t. We have Suffolk The Platinum Years, which is a very important new part of the show, but that’s one that will win here next year! “
An event that both Mr. Kerr as Mr. Pulham expect Wednesday is the Platinum Jubilee Contest that will end the day at 4:15 p.m.
Kerr said, “This should be something very special to complete the show.”