Grasmere Sports is planning its return to the field with a bang – and local people can take advantage of low-price advance tickets.
And from Friday, discount tickets will be available exclusively online – including family tickets for the event, which takes place on Sunday, August 28.
Sports and field manager Deborah Black, said: “We will be leaving no stone unturned in making this year’s show one of the best ever enjoyed on the field.
“We wish to convey the essence of our unique and historic event to as many people as possible, welcoming back long and loyal supporters and saying ‘hello’ to new faces, experiencing this inimitable insight into Lakeland life for the very first time.
“We hope that everyone will take up the heavy early-bird discounts available and come along and join us on the day, and that various local businesses will exhibit their wares on a trade stall. It’s time for us all to get back to the things we used to do and appreciate them all the more.”
The show, which started in 1868, has only ever been cancelled three times – the other time was during the Second World War.
Last year, some fell runners turned up to run last year, even though there was no official race.
Fell racing in memory of Pete Bland
Show organisers said they felt strongly about ensuring that the fell racing – or the Guides races as they are known – are particularly well-supported, as their long-time organiser, Pete Bland, died from COVID and his son, Matt, has now taken over.
There is everything to go for with the seniors’ race in particular, as the record of Fred Reeves has stood for 44 years.
Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling will make a welcome return and Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show is also appealing to all the pandemic pet parents, now often firm staycationers.
It will offer dog lovers and owners the stunning spectacle of the hound trails and also allow on-the-day canine visitors, of all breeds, to have a go in the terrier racing ring, once the Little Nippers terrier display has run.
New for 2022 is a Wheelbarrow Garden competition, with the show encouraging locals to plant up a floral wheelbarrow display and bring their barrow along, to contend for prizes.
Locals with a keen interest in ancestry can also view a large number of photos from the Armitt Museum’s Hardman photographic collection. Dating from the 1930s to the 1960s, they feature many local people who could be grandparents, uncles and aunts, or other relatives, of people visiting today.
The child-friendly event will let little ones shine in sack, egg-and-spoon and track races and allow budding Greg Rutherford’s to take on the long leap’long jump competition.
A range of children’s bicycles can be tried out as part of a Wonder Wheelers display, with kids getting the chance to try everything from a toddler’s balance bike, to penny farthing, unicycle and even a bike that pedals backwards!
Falcons will be on hand in static and aerial flying displays, the Fell Gather Roadshow will be talking all things Herdwick and shepherding, and trade and craft stalls will tempt the purse. Swill maker Owen Jones will no doubt cause a stir and the Fat Cat Brass Band, who debuted in 2019, will return.
As always, the show will open with the atmospheric ringing of a bell by the Bellman and the playing of the national anthem.
Never before, however, may it have symbolised such a rebirth for Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show.
To listen to a podcast about Grasmere Sports and discover more about the event, head to https://bit.ly/3w8vwlQ
