Four day Balmoral packs a real punch

Jeremey Winter (5) Lori Winter (7) and Harvey Armstrong (6) at the launch of the 149th Balmoral Show held at Eikon Exhibition Centre on Wednesday. This marks seven weeks until the Show which runs from 10th-13th May 2017. Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) this week launched the 149th Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank promising an exciting mix of food, farming excellence and showmanship alongside an exhilarating entertainment schedule from 10th '“ 13th May 2017.

With many new additions to the show, news of a fourth day is proving the most highly anticipated development.

Rhonda Geary, RUAS Operations Director commented: “We are very excited to bring our amazing show offering to a fourth day, on a Saturday, which has been called for, for many years.

“The four days of the show will include all that is brilliant about Balmoral, grassroots agriculture alongside a mix of shopping, entertainment and attractions. We are delighted to see a marked increase in many livestock sectors including equine and beef, and are looking forward to a full house in May competing for prestigious Balmoral titles.”

Richard Donnan, Head of Northern Ireland, Ulster Bank, said at the launch: “As we mark our 9th year as principal sponsor of the Balmoral Show, Ulster Bank is proud of its continued partnership with one of the biggest events in Northern Ireland’s calendar. The Balmoral Show gives us the perfect platform to showcase our support for the agri-food industry and we want to let farmers and producers know that our expert teams are here to provide them with real and meaningful help for what matters as they continue to manage risk and seek out new opportunities.

“Sponsoring the show symbolises the key role that Ulster Bank plays in helping the sector develop and succeed – connecting with our customers, engaging with them, and highlighting the significant funding we have available. We look forward to welcoming visitors over the course of the four days and to a very successful Balmoral Show 2017.”

While the Year of Food and Drink has passed, its legacy remains and food is top of the agenda at the Show. The NI Food Pavilion will showcase over 100 local producers with 50 chefs cooking up a storm over the four days. 2017 will see the introduction of a new Health and Fitness Village which will appeal to gym buffs and outdoor adventurers alike.

A superb family day is on offer as food and fitness are served alongside farming, a jam packed entertainment programme and attractions. There will be live robotic milking served up alongside the SPAR Arena which offers a dedicated area for fun family entertainment. The Agri Pavilion provides a platform for businesses, where networking and business will be rife over the four days, complemented by impressive outdoor machinery trade stands.

Audiences around the Main Arena will be captivated by the Kangaroo Kid and his tantalising motorcycle display which will have show goers watching through their fingers in anticipation. However if you prefer to indulge in retail therapy the Eikon Shopping Village is perfect for spending an afternoon browsing the goodies on offer.

Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank takes place at Balmoral Park, Lisburn between Wednesday 10th and Saturday 13th May 2017. Opening times are 9.30am – 6pm (Wed, Fri and Sat) and 9.30am – 8pm (Thurs). Admission charges range from £2 to £18 with discounted early bird rates available on our website. Children under five years are free when accompanied by an adult.

To keep up to date with the new four day 2017 Balmoral Show, check out the website balmoralshow.co.uk http://www.balmoralshow.co.uk , Facebook: Balmoral Show and Twitter: @balmoralshow.