ALONG with the usual attractions, there are some very unusual ways to pass the time at this year's Cork Summer Show!
MUNSTER'S largest agricultural show, The Cork Summer Show, takes place this weekend (June 18th & 19th) at the Munster Agricultural Society Showgrounds in Curraheen near Ballincollig.
As well as highly competitive show jumping, dressage and pony riding, cattle and sheep breeding and all the usual agricultural show activities, there are some rather quirky things to do too.
1. THROW A WELLY!
For the uninitiated in the finer art of welly-throwing, the aim is to get distance into the throw towards open space and not, ahem, to hit a fellow human. Stewards from Down Syndrome Cork, whose decision will be final, will be on hand to assist with aim and to identify the winners. All shoe sizes welcome. It is not essential to bring your own welly as we will have a fine array of Field of Dreams Cork Wellies in all shapes and sizes on hand. All proceeds raised at the Welly Throwing arena will go to Field of Dreams, Down Syndrome Cork.
2. MAKE A FLOWER
On both the Saturday and Sunday of the Cork Summer Show the Field of Dreams will be Filling the Field with Flowers: Tissue paper flowers. You, your gran and your uncle Paddy are invited to come along to our log cabin and make a flower with us. Place your dream in the flower and ‘plant’ your creation in our beautifully reproduced ‘Field’ by talented furniture designer Dara Llewellyn. Lots of #selfie opportunities if you’re into them. We can’t guarantee that the sun will be shining outside our cabin but we guarantee sunshine inside.
3. SEE A DOCTOR
RTE's You Should Really See A Doctor will be on site at the Cork Summer Show this year all day on Sunday. Dr Pixie McKenna and Dr Phil Kieran will host a free pop-up clinic for their RTÉ One Television Series. You Should Really See a Doctor! The doctors will offer on-the- spot consultations and health checks and are keen to examine the symptoms and ailments that are bothering the nation – lumps, bumps, pains, aches, tingling and even toilet troubles. They are particularly interested in hearing from people who have been avoiding the doctor, or who have researched their symptoms online, but would like a real doctor.
4. PET A CRAWLING RACOON DOG
This year's Pet Zoo for children is the biggest yet. There will be more than 260 varieties of animals to play with, from chicks and hens to guinea pigs, monkeys, goats to meerkats, skunks, lemurs to mention just a few! So as well as all the traditional farm animals there will be exotic animals and fun galore thanks to Rumley's Pet Farm and Leahy’s Pet Farm among others.
5. WATCH THE EUROS AL FRESCO
Big screens on site at the Cork Summer Show will ensure that you don't miss a moment of the Euros 2016 excitement. The Belgium v Ireland game will play live on the screens from 2pm and the atmosphere promises to be kicking. With free Park 'n' Ride and the number 208 Bus operating very regularly, you can even sample some of the local brews and foody treats while watching the game.
6. JUDGE A SCARECROW
Scarecrows are still used across the country to deter birds and prey from farmers' fields. To celebrate the art of scarecrow making, the Cork Summer Show gives a prize for the Best Scarecrow. From up and down the country, scarecrows come ready to be assembled onsite in one of the many Cork Summer Show exhibition areas. Watch out for the scarecrows and be there at 5pm on Saturday for the judging of the scariest and most effective scarecrow.
This is only a snapshot of the many wonderful things you can experience at the Cork Summer Show 2016. There is a huge garden and outdoor living area, along with musical entertainment from John Spillane, Frank & Walters, Crystal Swing and more to cater for every musical taste.
Entry is €15 per adult, €13 for OAPs, and kids under 13 are free of charge.
See www.corksummershow.com for more.
