If you are looking for a fun-filled day out with something for everyone, look no further than the Mid Devon Show. This award-winning show is a true celebration of rural Mid Devon, featuring an eclectic mix of breathtaking entertainment, food, shopping, music, horticulture and farm life.

The show takes place on Saturday, July 22, from 8.30am to 5.30pm at the Knightshayes Estate in Tiverton. You will be spoilt for choice with nine hours of nonstop entertainment and an adventure into local history, produce and the finest offerings available right here in Mid Devon.

The show organiser Colin Nation says: “We’ve got a packed line up this year as normal after last year’s success when we welcomed just shy of 20,000 people, which was certainly a record for our site at Knightshayes.

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“I’d honestly say the success is down to the team of volunteers we’ve got putting the show together, to put such a good show on that people just want to keep coming back. We try and change it every year we try and add something new, keep it fresh.”

Some of the highlights of this year’s show include:

  • The main ring, where you can watch the spectacular All Steps Formation, a horse formation team that describes themselves as synchronized swimming but with horses. You can also enjoy the Shetland pony racing, the ATV stunt show by Paul Hannan, the grand parade, the pony club games, the Young Farmers and more.
  • The livestock competitions and exhibitions, where you can see the high standard of the heavy horses, the cattle, sheep, pygmy goats and pigs. This year, there are also guinea pigs for the younger members of the community.
  • The music fest, which has grown again this year and features two great tribute acts: Take a Chance On Us (Abba) and the New Jersey Boys. They will perform from 3pm to 6.45pm and keep you dancing and singing along.
  • The community corner, a new addition this year that showcases local groups and what they do. You can listen to Tiverton Town Band and Chloe Marie Aston on the piano, and more.
  • The vintage buses and classic cars parade, which has expanded this year to include seven vintage buses that will join the classic car parade in the main ring.
  • The food hall, where you can sample and buy local produce from cheese to cider, from pies to pasties. You can also enjoy a variety of catering options from burgers to crepes, from ice cream to coffee.
  • The trade stands and magpie marquee where you can browse and buy from hundreds of stands offering everything from clothing to crafts, from jewellery to gardening supplies. You can also find information and advice from various charities and organisations.
  • The flower and garden marquee where you can admire the floral displays and competitions from local schools, clubs and individuals. You can also get some tips and inspiration for your own garden.

Meet the President

This year’s president is Rose Chanin, who has been involved with the show since day one. She says: “I was here when we sat around a table in Tom Penny’s office and said, how about having a show, so we revived what was the old Tiverton show, put it on a different day, and in 1994 held the first show.

“At some point or other I was chairman of the PR team and more recently I’ve been show director and that’s amounted to 14 shows. But it’s only possible with an amazing team of helpers.

“It’s a real honour to be president. I will still maintain some sort of leadership with the team beforehand, but on the day they’re going to take away my radio and I shall enjoy welcoming all the visitors and some special guests to the members area, showing them around an event that I am extremely proud of.

“The show has grown to something that is twice the size of what it was when it started. We have people coming back year in, year out, because they get such good value from money and there’s so much going on the day that a day is just not long enough for them to get a flavour of everything that’s going on.

“I think we’ve become well established in our community and people take an ownership of it and so much variety on the day that you mustn’t miss it. It’s one of the biggest events in the Mid Devon calendar.”

How to Get Tickets

You can get your tickets online at https://www.middevonshow.co.uk/. They are £18 in advance, going up to £20 on show day itself. Children 15 and under are free of charge as long as they come with a paying adult. You can also buy physical tickets by either calling the show office on 01884 820859 or emailing office@middevonshow.co.uk. Alternatively, you can visit the normal outlets throughout the area: Mole Avon, Mole Valley Heard and Sendell, Hospiscare, and the Tiverton Hotel.