There is a beehive of activity at the Agriculture Grounds in Lower Valley, as the countdown begins for the official opening of the 45th Annual Agriculture on Ash Wednesday, 22 February, with gates opening at 7:00 a.m.

Said to be the islands’ largest one day event, the Agriculture Show presents a unique blend of traditional with the new in an agricultural setting. It is the showcase for the best of local farming and art and craft. The show draws exhibitors and visitors from all walks of life. Over 10,000 people attend the show and in the region of 100 livestock entries are received. Alongside the exhibition, there will be several activities such as the farmer’s interactive tent, cultural contests and a wide variety of entertainment. Prizes will be awarded to the best livestock and crop exhibitors, best art and craft exhibitor and many other categories.
The Agriculture Show is also a gastronomic delight, featuring the largest variety of traditional Caymanian delicacies such as stewed turtle, fish done in a variety of ways, including the ever-popular fish and fritters, conch, whelks, local Caymanian beef, coconut dinners and fish and salt beef rundown. Much simpler fare such as fried chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available as well as jerked pork and chicken.

This year, the public will also be able to see a cooking demonstration and competition put on by the Department of Youth Services and featuring eight students who have been coached by the Islands’ top chefs. The students and chefs have created menus from locally grown produce and meats.

Not to be forgotten are the kids, who will have a special play area to include pony rides, petting zoo, the Beautiful Baby Contest, and of course, the rodeo put on by the Wranglers.

Mrs Kerry Forbes who organises the events for the Cayman Islands Agriculture Society, acknowledged the role of all sponsors – LIME; A.L. Thompson’s, Save the Date, Dart Enterprises, DMS Broadcasting, Radio Cayman and Bodden Beverage (Aquafina/Pepsi) as well as the Ministry of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture.

“Without corporate sponsors, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department we could not put on this show and we are grateful to them,” she stated. “I am also grateful to the Deputy Premier, all farmers, the art and craft exhibitors and all the volunteers who help to make the show a success. While we are not adding a lot more to the show, we are working to make it better.”

Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Agriculture Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, who is a keen farmer, said: “I am a proponent of ‘grow what you eat, and eat what you grow’. The importance of agriculture can be put into perspective by the fact that as an industry, agriculture is one of the most important as it fulfills life’s most essential element – food. The industry continues to play an important part in every economy.”

She added: “I would like to encourage the public to come out and see what is going on in the farming community. Talk to and encourage our farmers and in so doing, you will no doubt have a bit of fun in the process while getting an education.”

Tickets cost $25, which includes entry into the raffle, with a grand prize of $20,000. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children aged two to 12 years.   Tickets outlets are Funky Tangs, A.L. Thompson’s, Agriculture Society members, Seymour’s Jerk Chicken, Welly’s Cool Spot, Blue Marlin Restaurant Meringue Town and Cayman Coating.  Debit and Credit cards will be accepted for token and admission tickets.