Kent County Show, held at Kent Showground in Detling near Maidstone has been postponed for 2021
Published: 19:03, 04 May 2021
Updated: 15:05, 06 May 2021
One of the biggest events in Kent's calendar has been postponed and will be replaced with a "scaled back" show.
The Kent County Show was due to be held over a weekend in July at the Kent Showground in Detling but organisers have now said the event will be postponed and instead replaced with The Kent County Summer Fayre.
The smaller event is still due to take place over the weekend of July 10 and 11 at the Kent Showground in Detling.
Last month organisers announced the County Show was being postponed over Covid restrictions. The government aims for social distancing rules to cease on June 21, with large events going ahead, but the Kent County Agricultural Society says it cannot risk the the large-scale show being pulled "at the last minute".
In a statement released on Thursday, James Forknall, chairman of the Kent County Summer Fayre said: “After reviewing the government road map, and the final opening date being so close to the show dates, we could not take the risk of all the hard work needed to put on a large-scale event for it then to be potentially pulled at the last minute.
"With staff changes also being a factor, a smaller scale event is far more achievable within the timescale we have to organise.
"It is so important to us this year, to put on a show to help business owners grow after some very challenging times, whilst also encouraging the public to once again enjoy a great and safe day out.
"It is very much hoped, and everyone at the Kent County Agricultural Society’s aim to be able to put on a full Kent County Show in 2022."
The society says the fayre will still feature some of the well knows aspects of the county show such as show jumping, vintage vehicles, woodland area and live music. There will also be a number of trade stands and catering options to suit all tastes.
It is expected that tickets will be on sale towards the end of May but they are expected to sell quickly because of the limited numbers available.
Last month, the society also announced that The Living Land, a free event teaching school children about food and farming will be held virtually this year.
It is usually part of the lead-up to the Kent County Show and after being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, it will go ahead online on Thursday, May 6.
Under current government plans, large-scale events will be able to take place from June 21, with all legal limits on social contact removed.