ORGANISERS of this year's Alton Show are hoping for bumper crowds at Froyle Park for a day packed of interest, activity, colour and fun. Run by the North East Hampshire Agricultural Association, Sunday's show is expected to be a winner. Activities will kick off at 9am with the judging of livestock in the outer rings and the private driving class in the main arena. The Grand Parade of Champions is at 3.15pm in the main arena which boasts a varied programme of events. The Tigers Children's Motor Cycle Display Team will rub shoulders with the parade of hounds and the Siberian Husky demonstrations. There will be music from the Harbour Pipes and Drums and the Medina Marching Band, displays by the Essex Dog Display team and a mighty parade of tractors and machinery. The Countryside Arena will afford a vivid insight into gun dogs at work, ferrets, sheep dog displays, fly-casting, birds of prey in flight, terrier racing and more. There will be traditional craft and food marquees, live music in the bandstand, countryside skills demonstrations, trade stands and a games area, for the whole family. There will be a Family Fun Dog Show which can be entered on the day, the Alton Horse Show will feature showing and jumping classes, and The Herald Motor Show will play host to an impressive line-up of classic cars and motorcycles. There is plenty of free onsite parking and a free bus service will run from The Butts, at 25 and 45 past the hour, starting at 9.45am and picking up en route at HSBC in the High Street, Alton railway station and Anstey Road. The last bus will run to the show at 16.25pm. Buses will leave the showground at 11 and 25 past the hour, with the first bus departing at 10.25am and the last leaving at 18.11pm. Tickets at £6 for adults and £4 concessions (senior citizens and under-15s) can be purchased in advance from the Alton Herald office in the Market Square, from the NFU offices in the High Street and from Brocks Farm Shop in Normandy Street, Alton. Tickets on the gate will cost £7.50 for adults and £5 for concessions. Pre-school children go free.
