THE 150th Balmoral Show takes place next week, from Wednesday through to Saturday, and sure to be of interest is the special anniversary marquee which includes archive photography, a timeline, artefacts and souvenirs detailing the history of the Show.

Having extended in duration to four days last year, the 2018 show has also extended in size with the new Dr E.F. Logan Hall offering 4,000sqm of additional permanent covered exhibition space. It complements the Eikon Exhibition Centre and replaces the former cattle marquee. There is a new area also for the ever-expanding machinery section.

The NI Food Pavilion with its 90-plus stands will showcase the very best of local food and drink while over 40 catering vendors have signed up to the Show food charter to source locally. The Healthy Horticulture Area has increased in size and scope this year. There will be a polytunnel with growing displays of fruits, vegetables and herbs as well as the Horticulture Forums ‘Grow Marquee’ which will showcase displays from a range of local growers.

Most of the equestrian activities are covered in the Balmoral Show preview in pages A61 and A62 of this newspaper but racing folk, who probably find ridden hunter classes, etc a bit staid for their liking, should check out Thursday morning’s UMEX Pony Club mounted games and Friday afternoon’s Wilsons Auctions inter-hunt chase. If you like a bit of style there’s the driving section on Friday morning and, if you have never seen them before, the Lowe Rental donkey displays on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are well worth watching.