The Garstang Show

Lancashire’s small market town, Garstang, has been making big strides over the past decade or so. It became the world’s first Fairtrade town and it consistently maintains its traditions in the shape of its long-running markets, festivals and the well-known Garstang Show.

The Garstang Show is repeatedly described as being one of the North West’s best one-day shows.

In 2010, the 195th year of the show’s existence, Garstang broke its record number of attendees, with a staggering near 15,000 people attending the one-day show held in August.

Visitors to the show came from around the country, some even from as far away as Uruguay. If you are headed to the Garstang Show, you can be sure to find an array of activities and attractions including animal shows, horticultural events, craft displays and modern and vintage tractors and farm machinery as well as an abundance of shopping opportunities.

The animal shows include traditional cattle markets and horse events as well as multiple-breed cow and sheep exhibits, rabbits, pigeons, budgies, pygmy goats and dog shows.

The Garstang Show just isn’t about animals, however, there is a wide range of exciting activities for the whole family such as show rides and fun fair rides.

The show also boasts of an impressive and extensive spread of edible treats from homemade chutneys and preserves to desserts and locally-reared meats and locally-produced fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Booths are set up at the show to entertain children with hands-on activities such as craft workshops and art creations.
Of course, the Garstang Show provides a wonderful opportunity for shopping from arts and crafts to food and regular market goods.

What would any show be without music? At the Garstang Show you are presented with a selection of bands and musicians from all over the country including local acts and acts from neighbouring communities such as Manchester and Morecambe.

In 2010, the music portion of the Garstang Show was extended to the following Sunday, in an attempt to attract a broader and more diverse audience to the event. This was held in conjunction with the Family Fun Day, a new event added to the show’s agenda.

In addition to the live music, a vintage car rally was held and there were children’s activities as well as trade stands and a catering marquee and a bar.

The show is laid out in different sections, ensuring that each aspect of the event is easily accessible. The different sections include the main ring, a jumping section for horses, a cattle and sheep section, a craft tent and a food hall, to name a few.

The Garstang Show would be the perfect opportunity to visit this bustling town and take part in its rich sense of history and tradition. With hundreds of stalls and local farmers and butchers supplying some of Lancashire’s finest food products, the Garstang Show is the perfect setting for a bit of light shopping.

All of the activities and performances on site during the show are bound to keep the entire family entertained and make for a relaxing, fun and unforgettable day out.

The show is held from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. one weekend in August every year. Parking for the show is free and admission is just £10 for adults and free for those 16 and under.

Garstang is located on the banks of the River Wyre, just off of the M6 between Lancaster and Preston.

It is a small community with a huge impact on the world and a penchant for fair trade and local produce. For more information on Garstang and the town’s popular one-day event, please contact the Garstang Tourist Information Centre at 01995 602125.