Harrogate's Great Yorkshire Show to add extra day for first time in history

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Following last month’s announcement that the show would return this year if it is safe to do so, its organisers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) have now revealed it will take place between Tuesday, July 13 and Friday, July 16, from 8am to 5pm each day.

Farming charity YAS has reiterated that England’s premier showcase of farming, food and the countryside will only take place if the Government’s roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions remains unchanged.

Details of any restrictions on large gatherings after the Government’s planned lifting of restrictions on June 21 are not yet clear and will be informed by the outcome of a series of pilot events planned in the spring.

However, YAS does anticipate there will be a strict cap on the number of people allowed to gather at large events and has added a fourth day to the Great Yorkshire Show so more visitors will have the chance to attend safely.

Charles Mills, Honorary Show Director of the Great Yorkshire Show said: “We are thrilled by the response to our plans for the Show this year in what we know will not quite be normal circumstances.

“We do expect there to be a limit on how many people can attend on any one day of the Show and so for the first time in our history we believe the best option is to offer a four-day event.”

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Consideration is being given to the Show’s format so that it meets likely government guidelines but YAS does expect most sections of the Show to go ahead, with an emphasis on holding as many activities outdoors as possible.

Charles added: “We understand there is an element of risk in planning for an event of such scale given the potential for restrictions to change, however we accept this and firmly believe it is well worth planning for the show to take place. We know it means so much to so many people and we want to give them something exciting to look forward to at the end of a testing time for us all.”

Tickets will only be available in advance and will go on sale on June 1. Any updates will be posted on the show’s website and on social media.

Last year’s Great Yorkshire Show was cancelled in full for the first time since the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001.

Coronavirus restrictions meant the 2020 Show went virtual instead. It offered behind the scenes tours of farms, workshops and with food producers that attracted viewers from more than 40 different countries.

The pandemic may have sidelined major events but YAS continues to offer year-round support to the farming community.

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During lockdowns this has included online gatherings and debates, health and wellbeing videos and nurturing a new supportive online community through its Yorkshire Women In Farming Facebook group.