Final touches underway for the 84th Agricultural Exhibition, featuring a new attraction, local favourites and a promise to bring back the pigs
From horticulture to prize livestock and craftwork, the 84th Bermuda Annual Agricultural Exhibition promises to be a vibrant display of culture, community and heritage.
Minister of Public Works and Environment, Jache Adams, tells us it’s been all hands on deck to beautify the grounds of the Botanical Gardens in advance of welcoming thousands of attendees.
“In terms of preparation work, we’ve had the Parks Department working diligently to get the grounds ready, said Minister Adams. “We’ve also had a number of volunteers participate in order to get the logistics of the event going – whether it be the vendors, the organisations, the international talent and whatnot. So, it’s really been a collective effort and I’m certainly appreciative of the work that our team has done.”
In 2023, the Government assumed responsibility for the event, with the aim of gradually bringing the show back.
Minister Adams told us that this year’s event will be full-scale. However, one iconic farm animal will be absent once again.
Last year, pigs were sorely missed by attendees. And while they will not be present again this year, the Minister has pledged corrective action.
“We tried our best, believe me,” he stated. “We tried our best to ensure that pigs were here for this year. Unfortunately, we were unable to do so – but what we have done is put the procedures in place to ensure that we have pigs going forward. We actually understand the attraction they hold and what it means to people, especially the excitement it brings for little kids. I mean, I’m looking forward to my daughter seeing the pigs and farm animals and whatnot. So, we’re saying full-scale now, but certainly over time we plan to have the event bigger and better – which will include the pigs as well.”
New this year are extreme sports performances by the professional US-based BMX stunt team, Dialed Action, in the Show Ring.
“That’s an exciting event for us,” said Minister Adams. “We’ve looked and analysed and I thought they were a great signature piece to the event – so we’re looking forward to that, but also just creating a space to get back out into the grounds and enjoy the camaraderie. Getting back to a space where we’re upholding a tradition that has brought joy to so many Bermudians for the last 84 years.”
Elsewhere on the grounds, vendors were busy setting up stalls – including local favourite, Ashley’s Lemonade.
Owner, Ashely Stephens told us her preparations have been “smooth sailing”.
She added, “Deliveries have been coming in all day to get us prepared for our lovely three-day event. We’ve done this before, so we’re a little bit seasoned with it – but we’re making our tweaks and we’re ready for all our volunteers and everybody to start. It’s really great to see everyone supporting. And we’re happy to have a charity as well – you know, everyone has a charity that they give to, so I think that’s also a great part of it. I’m hoping to have beautiful long queues and refresh everybody with freshly squeezed lemonade.”
The Ag Show begins tomorrow and runs through to Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm daily.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors, available at the gate.
