DATE: Saturday 18th May 2024
VENUE: The Showground, Bridge End, Otley, LS21 2AA
WEBSITE: www.otleyshow.org.uk
TOWN: Otley
The Otley Show, held annually in the picturesque Wharfe Valley, is a hallmark of agricultural excellence and community spirit, celebrated as the oldest one-day agricultural show in the country. With a history spanning over two centuries, the show has become a vital event for both the farming and non-farming communities, attracting more than 12,000 visitors each year. It’s not just a showcase of the finest in livestock, handicrafts, and floral displays; the Otley Show is a vibrant celebration of rural life, featuring over 100 trade stands that offer a wide range of produce and gifts.
There will be a full programme of classes, events and attractions suitable for the whole family.
A detailed ‘Whats On’ will be available from the organisers nearer the date of the Show.
The show’s resilience and significance were highlighted during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to its cancellation in 2020 and 2021. These interruptions underscored the Otley Show’s importance to its community, sparking innovative responses such as independent online shows organized by handicraft competitors to raise funds for charity. The show’s return has been a testament to the dedication of its many volunteers, who play crucial roles in everything from car park management to executive committee decisions, ensuring the event’s success year after year.
Each Otley Show is a culmination of hard work and community effort, made possible by over 100 volunteer stewards, local community groups, and generous sponsors. These contributions are essential for the show to take place, demonstrating the community’s strong support for this cherished event. The show offers a diverse range of competitions and classes, from livestock and farming to baking and handicrafts, embodying the spirit of agricultural shows that have been a staple in Yorkshire for decades.
The Otley Show stands as a vibrant testament to the enduring appeal and importance of agricultural shows in the UK, combining tradition with a forward-looking approach to showcasing the best of rural life and farming practices. It continues to be a key event in the agricultural calendar, eagerly anticipated by both the local community and visitors from further afield, eager to experience the unique blend of competition, education, and celebration that the show offers.