What to expect from the Countryman Fairs 2019

Countryman Fairs have five shows this year, please tell us more about them and what changes we can expect from previous years?

We’re really excited about our five events for 2019 and what we’ve got lined up at each of them. Whilst each of our Shows offer something different for our visitors, each Show subscribes to a successful mixture of family entertainment, live music, sporting championship qualifiers, live main arena performances as well as shopping opportunities from hundreds of country-inspired stores for everyone to browse. 

Whilst each event has these similarities, each Show also offers its own unique-feel too, whether it’s the estate and the grounds that the Show inhabits, or the influence of the local area to the event, visitors can expect lots of things to come as well as exciting new features for 2019.

One of the exciting changes we have made to all of the Shows this year includes the brand new Member’s Enclosure. Offering an abundance of features for those who sign up, the Member’s Enclosure is open to all and includes access into one of our events, forward parking, access to the event’s Members Enclosure, with both indoor and outdoor seating, excellent food packages, Private Bar, VIP toilets and of course the chance to meet up with friends in a luxurious and spacious setting away from the crowds!

How are your shows different from the others out there?

Over the years, Countryman Fairs have developed an award-winning event structure that brings a superb array of demonstrators, competitions and exhibitors to each show. This core entertainment profile is then enhanced by a wide variety of extra attractions and features that add interest and excitement for each visitor and influenced by the local area. Each event has it’s own unique character and atmosphere, with everyone taking something different away from each show. 

A Countryman Fairs event is different to others out there as we work consistently to offer this high standard of entertainment and professional presentation, whilst also remaining great value for money too. In our current economic climate, offering high quality and value goes a long way for visitors and those who exhibit with us. Listening to what visitors want and being proactive in change allows the Countryman Fairs brand to remain consistently high. Visitor and exhibitor feedback is crucial to the progression of each of the five events, and as a company we place great importance in being proactive in change going forward.

What are the challenges you face with organising shows like these?

As with all outdoor events, the weather can often work against even the best made plans. Over the years, we have learnt to work with the elements rather than against them. We continually work to ensure the shows infrastructure is built for such unpredictability, putting measures in place that will enable our Shows to ride the roughest of storms. On those odd occasions deemed too unsuitable, Countryman Fairs work to ensure that appropriate precautions and solutions are made.

How did you get started?

Countryman Fairs have been organising high quality events since 1983. A lot has changed in those years, and Countryman Fairs have evolved to become one of the leading event organisers in the Country. With each event having its own unique identity, Countryman Fairs are delighted to present a group of events nationwide to our visitors.

The Midland Game Fair was the first event in the Countryman Fairs portfolio, which started off as a small quaint gathering of like-minded people on the Earl of Bradford’s lawn. The shows founder, Philip Poole, was returning from the CLA Game Fair, and thought it would be great fun to hold a similar event at Weston Park. He and a friend called in to see Lord Bradford on the way home, and the Midland Game Fair was born.

How do you see the shows developing, given the obvious struggle of the high street and the rise of technology?

Our events continue to go from strength to strength because they are a true celebration of our Great British Countryside. They succeed in getting people outdoors, offering a great day out whether its families, sports men and women or individuals. Our outdoor events will always retain its place with our visitors as long as we continue to listen to feedback and develop on all aspects of our events, from our key show features down to the very infrastructure of the event. People will always look for a day out, and whilst online shopping and technological advances continue to grow, they cannot replace real life experiences and creating memories with your family. By supporting local trade and businesses, we are keeping the outdoors active and celebrating the best of our sporting and rural pastimes. As long as we continue to listen to our visitors and traders, we will always strive to do the best we can in the climate of the time. 

Kelmarsh Country Show is first up on April 21st-22nd – tell us what you enjoy the most about it?

The Kelmarsh Country Show traditionally marks the start of the Game Fair season and for 2019 it will be the biggest Kelmarsh we have ever seen.

With all of the planning and preparation that goes into the events, when you finally see the finished article on the ground, and people enjoying themselves and having fun, there really is no better feeling!
Kelmarsh will always be special and has a real buzz about it as it is the first one of the season. You get to catch up with old friends, make new ones in a beautiful setting like Kelmarsh Hall, what more could you want from a weekend away?