Countdown to popular show at Claragh

Countdown to popular show at Claragh

18 July 2012

SATURDAY, July 28 sees the return of the annual Claragh Bridge cross-community vintage, classic and agricultural show.

Now in its ninth year, it will be staged on the Ballynahinch Road, Drumaroad, starting at 11am.

Classes covering cars, trac-

tors, stationary engines, commercials, motorcycles, buses, lorries, steam engines and various other types of agricultural machinery will be exhibited and entries can also be submitted on the day of the show.

This year’s show will include an indoor crafts fayre and country market as well as stalls, trade and various exhibition stands, including timber cutting and the annual local Tug ‘O’ War.

This year there will be both men’s and ladies’ Tug ‘O’ War competitions, which start at 3pm and have cash prizes for both the winning team and runner up to donate to a charity of their choice.

Live music, free children’s entertainment, a bouncy castle, bungee run, face painting, gladiator dual as well as the ever popular helicopter rides from the show field down to Dundrum Bay will run throughout the day, with traditional threshing machines on view and a blacksmith display.

Popular competition events will include the brick lift, driving the nail, throwing the 56, and pitching the sheaf.

The blacksmith’s shop will also be open, having been fully restored by its owner, Mr. Walter Watson. Both inside and outside will host a display of traditional blacksmith tools and farming machinery from the early 20th century.

Drumaroad and Clanvaraghan Community Association will also be hosting a Community Zone at show.

The Community Zone will have various activities taking place, including a mystery to solve and a fancy dress competition for children. Children will assemble at the Community Zone at 2.30pm, with judging taking place at 3pm. There will be an entry fee of £1 per child and there will be prizes for best costumes.

Categories will include ‘Most Amusing’ and ‘Most Creative’ and to promote awareness of the forthcoming digital switchover there will be a new ‘Digital Kid’ category. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Those who can bake are also invited to bring along their best cakes and enter the ‘Bake-Off Competition’, with a prize for best in show. Entries will be a judged at 1.30pm by a local professional.

Within the Community Zone will be the results of the recently completed village plan for Clanvaraghan, with details also available on potential future projects.

This year’s main designated charity is Autism Initiatives NI (www.ai-ni.co.uk).

For further information on the show contact Elizabeth Doyle on 028 44 811518 or email info@claraghbridge.com. Log onto www.claraghbridge.com. Claragh Bridge is also on Facebook and Twitter.