The Suffolk Show is an annual staple in the county calendar. Gates open on Wednesday May 29 and Thursday May 30, and organisers Suffolk Agricultural Association are gearing up to celebrate the very best that our county has to offer.
As our county’s biggest two-day event, the Suffolk Show typically attracts around 90,000 people from all walks of life – families looking for a fun half-term day out, as well as local farmers, equestrian stars, military personnel, emergency services, charities, among hundreds of East Anglian businesses joining together to connect, share and celebrate.
The show prides itself on offering an action-packed day out for all ages, with hundreds of interactive games, sports and activities to enjoy for free once you’re through the gates. The Countryside and Wildlife Zone is a popular area to explore minibeasts, go pond dipping or have a go at wildlife crafts. There’s also an array of sports to try for free in the Sports Village, or get up close to an army helicopter and play noughts-and-crosses with a military diver in the Military Zone.
Keep your eyes peeled for a new display this year by Bentwaters Parks Trinity Ring as the show prepares to commemorate 80 years since the World War II D-Day Normandy landings.
The Adnams Food and Drink Experience will be bursting this year with over 80 artisan producers, many of which are new to the show, as well as boutique shopping on Dummett Copp Fifth Avenue, and incredible floral arrangements in the Glasswells Flower and Garden Experience.
All around the 300-acre site, visitors can enjoy action-packed schedules of entertainment across 12 competition rings. The Shetland Pony Grand National and Mascot Race are returning favourites in the President’s Ring, and the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team and the Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team will be back in action again, expecting to make a dramatic parachute drop into the Collins Grand Ring on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
John Taylor is in his second year as Suffolk Show director and shares what he’s most looking forward to about this year’s event. 'The Suffolk Show is fast approaching and we’re really excited to welcome visitors once again. It truly is a fantastic celebration of Suffolk, it brings the community together and gives us all an opportunity to shout about the brilliant food, fashion, sports, flowers, crafts, and much more that’s on offer from every corner of our county.
'We’re hugely proud of our farming tradition and the Suffolk Show is an enormous platform for celebrating agricultural and livestock farming in Suffolk and across the nation, with farmers gathering together to share their expertise.
'We’re all looking forward to opening the gates on May 29 and 30 and we can’t wait to welcome visitors back for busy two-days celebrating our wonderful Suffolk.'
For more information or to book visit: suffolkshow.co.uk/buytickets
Farm4Future: How the Suffolk Show is inspiring future farmers
Suffolk is renown as an agricultural county – for its vast arable fields and varied soil types, perfect for growing crops that feed the nation and beyond. While the Suffolk Show has always championed farming at its core, this year, organisers the Suffolk Agricultural Association are focussing on farming careers and futuristic technology to inspire the next generation.
Brian Barker, deputy show director and local farmer, is spearheading the Suffolk Show’s farming attractions this year. He shares what visitors can look out for.
Why is it important to promote farming careers?
'For many local people, farming is a way of life and it has continued within families for generations. But people often think the only route to a farming career is to be born into it, and that’s simply not the case. The awareness isn’t there, so we’re here to challenge misconceptions and open farming to all at this year’s Suffolk Show.
'There’s also the opinion that farming is low-skilled work, but there’s so much variation in the types of skills needed, which are transferable from other careers such as engineering. As technology moves forward, it’s presenting an industry skill shortage and we need the skills to keep up.
The purpose of our farming focus at this year’s Show is to inspire pride in our farming heritage and highlight the vast opportunities for a career in farming, steering away from the stereotype. It’s much more than just tractors!'
What can visitors expect in the Farm4Future area?
'Farm4Future was a new area introduced last year, and we have expanded on it this year with loads of fun, free, interactive activities for everyone to try.
'G-Tech are partnering with Lego Education to offer visitors a chance to code a robot around a farm-themed map. Boxford Farms will be sharing fascinating data on water systems and pollination from their local fruit farms. Visitors can try egg candling to check fertilised eggs with Cranswick Country Foods. And one of our sponsors, Frontier Agriculture Ltd, are partnering with Soil Kings to demonstrate soil agronomy to manage soil health. We’ll also have info from Land-Based Engineering on their industry training opportunities, and the Central College of Animal Studies on veterinary careers.
'There’s a big emphasis on sustainable farming this year too. It’s an exciting topic that offers so much opportunity for people to work on pioneering technology and be at the forefront of modern, futuristic farming techniques, and we have some fantastic industry-leading employers based right here in Suffolk.
'Aponic International, based near Sudbury, will be showcasing vertical or ‘no-soil’ farming. National recycling company Suez, based in Great Blakenham, will explain how waste can be reused and how recycling incinerators work. We’ll also be showcasing insect farming as a sustainable source of protein, and the importance of soil sampling for food security. Lots of fascinating farming work to spark inspiration for the next generation.'
What other farming attractions are at this year’s show?
'Elsewhere around the showground we’ll have our mighty farm machinery, from tractors to combines to pea harvesters, and we’ll have active machinery roaming around our popular Farming Live area, this year telling the story of sugar beet.
'Children love the Farm Discovery Zone where they can meet farmyard animals, brush a pony, feed a lamb or ride a mini tractor. All around the Show there’s plenty of opportunity to meet local farmers and speak to local colleges about the career opportunities and pathways into farming.
'The team and I have been working hard to showcase the exciting diversity of Suffolk farming, with industry exhibitors who have never attended the Show before. We’re looking forward to sharing with everyone and hope visitors of all ages learn something new or find inspiration from the innovative farming happening every day in this county.'
