For thousands of showgoers the wait is over. It is Cumberland Show day on Saturday at Carlisle Racecourse.

The last three years have seen dry days for the show and organisers are praying this year's event will be a sunshine spectacular success.

The event combines tradition and agriculture with a celebration of farming, food and countryside.

There is a range of livestock classes and horse driving competitions, poultry classes, dog show and vintage vehicle classes.

The Countryside Area displays rural crafts and skills, a Home Industries Marquee, Craft Hall, Country Living Shopping Arcade, Food Hall, a wide range of Trade Stands, and a variety of entertainment around the Showfield.

The show is also hoping for big numbers through the turnstiles with show operations and development secretary Gillian Potts predicting 18,000 to 20,000 if the sun shines.

Download a map of the showfield here

"We are an outdoor event and like all outdoor events we're weather-dependent. We just need the sun shining, anything but pouring rain. Everyone is happy and smiling when the sun is out, " said Mrs Potts.

The children's classes are always a huge attraction for the industrial section of the show and this year is no exception.

"We have hundreds of entries in the handwriting classes. We have a school display competition and we have eight entered in that," said Mrs Potts.

"The Queen's 90th birthday celebrations has led to 12 entries in the WI section and we have 216 pictures drawn by eight and nine-year-olds in the Designer Play Park class."

It's an early start with the timetable of events kicking off at 8am with judging of the livestock classes, while in the countryside ring rural pursuits are the order of the day with a gun dog display at 10.30am and 1pm.

Tickets are available at the gate, price £14, children free up to 16 years old when accompanied by an adult.

There is a free bus service from Carlisle City Centre.

TIMETABLE

TASTE CUMBRIA VILLAGE DEMONSTRATIONS

10.30am Carvetii Coffee live roasting
11.30am Cranston’s Butchery Demonstration
12.30pm Peter Sidwell - Simply Good Food
1.30pm Cook off between Show Chairman & Vice Chairman (aka brothers Robert and John Wharton)
2.30pm Lakes Distillery
3.30pm Young Farmers Challenge

TIMETABLE OF EVENTS

8am Horse judging
9.30am Cattle judging
Clydesdale judging
Vintage Vehicle judging
10.00am Sheep judging
Poultry judging
Fun Dog Show entries taken
12.00pm Fun Dog Show judging
1.40pm Horse Driving display
2.15pm Horse Supreme Champions
2.45pm Champion of Champions
3.00pm Grand Parade
3.30pm Vintage Vehicle Display
3.45pm Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling

COUNTRYSIDE RING

GUN DOG DISPLAY - 10.30am & 1.00pm
FERRET WORLD - 11.00am & 1.30pm
FALCONRY LIFE - 11.30am & 2.00pm
SHEEP DOG DISPLAY - 12.00am & 2.30pm
CHAINSAW SCULPTOR - 12.30am & 3.00pm
TERRIER RACING COMPETITION at 3.30pm

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

CREATION STATION - in the Children’s Home Industries Marquee - 11.00am to 3.00pm

NEWTON RIGG - see what courses & activities can be undertaken at our local land-based college - located in the Countryside Area

MODEL FARM - see the families of pigs, hens, sheep cattle, horses & rabbits
Farm activity demonstrations throughout the afternoon

THE COUNTRYSIDE AREA - explore and learn about rural crafts and skills and watch the various exhibits in the new large arena