By Dollie Wilson

Excitement is building for the county’s much-loved annual agriculture show.

The Dorset County Show will return to Dorchester on the weekend of September 7 and 8 to celebrate the best of rural life in the county through an array of agricultural activities and exhibits.

At the centre of the festival is the Main Ring, which hosts a number of exciting displays including The Grand Parade of Livestock, scurry racing and show jumping.

Visitors can also enjoy strolling through the endless trade stands, an artisan craft marquee, the finest selection of local food and a funfair with amusements, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Cornish Mutual will be the headline sponsor of the event again this year. The company has insured farms and rural businesses across the south west since 1903 and now has more than 24,000 customers in the area.

Alan Goddard, managing director of Cornish Mutual, said: “Sponsoring the show has provided us with fantastic coverage across the county, and we are thrilled with the work that Dorset Agricultural Society is doing in order to deliver a top-class show.”

Dorset County Show also welcomes Monart as a sponsor for 2019- a new five-star spa opening in Poundbury in October, adding it to the list of more than 50 local businesses that sponsor and support the show each year.

Liam Anthony Griffin, Director of Monart Spa, said: “We are very excited about our opening in October and the show gives us the perfect opportunity to give visitors a sneak peek of what the spa has to offer Dorset.

“We will be serving drinks, offering wellbeing advice and free hand massages over the weekend. We’re really looking forward to a wonderful show and hope to see you there.”

Will Hyde, Secretary of Dorset County Show, added: “We are proud to have so many local businesses pledge their support for this year’s show.

“All sponsorship received is invaluable and in turn provides incredible brand awareness and corporate social responsibility opportunities for companies to give back to the communities within which they operate.”

The annual two-day event has continued to grow in popularity and now attracts more than 60,000 people to the Dorchester Showground every year.

Tickets for this year’s Dorset County Show are on sale now, children under 16 enter for free and early bird adult tickets are available until July 31 for £14. Visit www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk or call 01305 264249 for more details.