Organisers of Mirfield Agricultural Show will have extra reason to celebrate on August 17, as the show will have reached its 70th year.

The family fun day was first held in 1945 - and apart from a brief hiatus in the 1980s and early 1990s - has returned each year, attracting crowds to the showground for a bumper day of entertainment.

And this year's festivities should ensure the show celebrates it's 70th with a bang, with daredevil stunts, high-energy dancers and a military-style marching band on the cards.

Click below for pictures from last year's show

 

Here's 10 facts about Mirfield Agricultural Show's history:

  1. Mirfield Show was founded in 1944 by the Mirfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
    The first ever Mirfield Show programme
    The first ever Mirfield Show programme
     
  2. The first show was held on Saturday July 14, 1945, in the Memorial Grounds opposite the showground.
  3. The first show president was Colonel James Walker - who said the event's aim was "to bring a little sunshine into the wartime lives of local people".
  4. Within three years of its formation, Mirfield Show welcomed record entries from across the country, and continued on an upward trend, peaking in the 1960s.
  5. However, despite volunteers fighting to keep it going, the show declined in the 1980s and came to an end.
  6. The show returned in 1995, when Mirfield Agricultural Society was formed, and was moved to a Sunday to avoid clashing with the Great Yorkshire Show.
  7. The 1995 show attracted more than 1,000 visitors and introduced duck-herding, tug-of-war and martial arts to the line-up.

    A you tough enough for the Tug-of-War?
    A you tough enough for the Tug-of-War?
     
  8. In 2008, 4,000 people flocked to the showground - despite the pouring rain.

  9. Visitor numbers have been rising ever since: 8,000 in 2009, 10,000 in 2010, almost 14,000 in 2011, and more than 10,000 in 2012, despite it being a wet weekend.

  10. The show is put together by an executive council, five sub-committees (finance, marketing, booking, facilities and competitions), section secretaries and several honorary positions - and is supported by volunteers, local community groups and businesses each year.

Are you heading to Mirfield Show 2014?

Are you heading to Mirfield Show this year? Click here for ticket details and click here for directions to the showground.

First-time visitor? Here's what to expect. And don't miss the entertainment booked for the Mirf'Fest stage!