The show opened at 10am and gradually filled up throughout the day, with the morning seeing judging take place for the more than 2,800 entries across a range of animal, food, flower, vehicle and arts and crafts competitions.
The tents showcasing the entries were opened up to the public in the afternoon, with entertainment in the main arena and surrounding areas also getting under way.
Dozens of charities and other community groups were busy informing punters of their services in tents dotted around the site. Live music in the beer tent closed out the first evening.
Show vice-president Peter Le Lacheur – in his 23rd year on the show’s organising committee – said preparations had gone smoothly, and was keen to thank the dozens of volunteers involved in ensuring everything was ready on time.
‘It’s set to be an action-packed couple of days,’ he said.
‘So long as the rain holds off we are happy.’
He said the number of competition entries had surpassed last year’s total, which was all the more impressive given the difficulties some of those entering the fruit and vegetable competitions had faced this year.
‘The growing season has been terrible, very dry, but despite that the quality of the produce on show is of a really good standard. The number of entries we’ve received is a welcome surprise.’
Spectators of the main arena were treated to an afternoon of flips, tricks and other stunts, with performances by electric vehicle group Volt Tour and motorcycle stuntman Flyin Ryan among others.
‘The Volt Tour guys were doing stuff with trampolines last year, they’ve come back with a whole new show,’ Mr Le Lacheur said.
‘They’re the only fully electric stunt team in the UK.’
Both performers are set to return today, along with a host of other entertainers including Guernsey Bubbles and Mythic Adventures – a company specialising in storytelling through the use of dragon puppets and other fantasy creatures.
The dry weather has meant the schedule of the much-loved lawnmower racing event has had to be amended.
‘We’ve had to cut it down, as conditions are too dusty to do what we normally do,’ Mr Le Lacheur said.
‘There still should be some good racing though.’
Judging of the horse and pony classes kicks today’s proceedings off, before a packed entertainment schedule unfolds over the course of the afternoon.
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