All you need to know about the Royal Manx Agricultural Show

The largest event in the Manx farming calendar is set to see thousands of people flock to the west of the Isle of Man.

The Royal Manx Agricultural Show is one of two annual showcases of the industry on the island designed to draw in people from across the community.

Society secretary Carol Kennaugh said the show was “extremely important” in providing an opportunity for farmers to get together as well as showing people not directly involved what the local sector has to offer.

The two-day event, which attracts about 20,000 visitors each year, takes place at Knockaloe in Patrick on Friday and Saturday.

The gates open at 09:30 BST on both days, with the show field closing at 17:00.

Friday sees a full light horse programme taking place on the show field as well as dog agility and obedience classes.

The field then plays host to the main livestock competitions on Saturday, with classes for dairy cattle, calves, beef cattle, heavy horses, sheep, donkeys and meg lambs, as well as a fur and feather tent.

Those classes culminate in the Grand Parade at 16:00, where the 2025 Supreme Champion will be crowned by this year’s judge.

Appointed by this year’s show president Voirrey Kelly, the identity of the person selected for the coveted role remains a closely guarded secret until the judging begins.

Activities throughout the show include sheep shearing contests, vintage tractor and machinery parades, a Young Farmers’ tug-of-war, and produce competitions.

Ms Kennaugh said the educational side of the show remained “very important to us”.

“We encourage as much as we can for people to come, see, talk to the exhibitors, and ask questions,” she said.

As part of that ethos, the Manx National Farmers Union tent offers the opportunity to find out more about the different breeds of livestock on the island.

That includes being able to see the animals up close in special display pens on both days.

Local produce is also brought to the fore in the Manx food producers’ marquee in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

That included small traders where “everything’s locally sourced – or as much as it can be – made locally and then sold”, Ms Kennaugh said.

“It’s amazing what is available but we do need to make people aware of it.”

“The food mileage is very, very low, and it is on all Manx produce. I mean where can you buy a pint of milk where the furthest it’s travelled is probably 15 miles?”

However, she said providing entertainment in various of guises remained a vital part of the programme.

“We can’t just concentrate on the agricultural side, it is a family day out, it is a community event.

“So we have to have events, entertainment, and stand holders that appeal to everybody who lives on the island and indeed visitors that are over as well.”

And that includes performances by equine stunt group Outlaws and Spike Milton and the International Timber Team.

The bandstand will also showcase a number of live musical performances throughout the day on Saturday, alongside a range of trade stands.

All parking is free at Knockaloe, with trailer rides provided from each of the car parks to take visitors to the show field and back again to help them return to their cars.

Traffic coming from the Douglas direction will be directed from St John’s along Patrick Road to the Patrick junction before being filtered into the car parks.

Those approaching from the south will be directed down over the Round Table through Dalby and Glen Maye and again guided into the car parks.

However, people are asked not approach from the Peel to Patrick coast road, as Ms Kennaugh explained: “We try to discourage any traffic through Peel, we would prefer everyone comes in the designated routes, which fit in with our traffic management plan.”

Buses are also available from St John’s to Patrick.

Tickets are available online in advance, or can be bought on the gate on both days.

Dogs are allowed on both days as long as they are kept under control and on a lead.

“Preferably a non-extending lead, to be on a static lead is ideal,” Ms Kennaugh said.