County show cancelled

August hopes dashed

It's off - completely. At least for another year.

Hopes that Devon County Show, the annual ag-fest at Westpoint, could go ahead in August, have been set aside. Organisers have accepted that life's not going to be back to normal by then and have mothballed the show for a year. It means the 125th Devon County Show will now take place on the 20th, 21st and 22nd May 2021.

Mary Quicke, chair of council for Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) says: ‘With the government’s suggestion that social distancing will continue for some time yet, and no firm commitment as to when the restriction on large gatherings will be lifted, the Association has sadly had  to make this extremely difficult decision. 

"We appreciate this will be a great disappointment to our agricultural community, traders, competitors and, of course, the thousands of visitors who attend our Show every year, all of whom love the Show as much as we do.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their support and understanding in these extraordinary times.  However, we are confident we have made the right decision in the circumstances and must put the welfare of everyone associated with the Show above all else.  

The Devon County Show has been going since 1872 and has survived previous years in which a show could not be held such as during the two World Wars.  Of course, the cancellation will have consequences for us financially along with many of our exhibitors and sponsors but we’re confident we can ride this storm and bounce back again next year.’

The show team will be in direct contact with all those who have booked tickets, trade-stands or entered competitions with more information about what the cancellation will mean for them.