Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June 2016

Preparations for Country Fest on are in full swing and this year will see the return of family favourites including the spectacular Smile Factor 10 Kite Festival and Teddy Bear Parachute Challenge.

Celebrating the region's excellent reputation for quality food and drink, visitors can try and buy a variety of outstanding quality food from exhibitors in the Food Zone. Local chefs will be offering a wide range of demonstrations within the Food Theatre including Scott Fairweather from the Punch Bowl at Crosthwaite, Luke Whittle from the Sun Inn at Kirkby Lonsdale and Nick Martin from the Waterhead Hotel at Ambleside. If you fancy yourself a bit of a foodie, you can enter the Bake a Cake competition, which is open to all ages. You could also book a place in advance on the Sausage Making Workshop, hosted by TV Personality and Slow Food Champion, Peter Gott, held both days of the Festival. Beer lovers can sample locally made beers at the Craft Beer Festival.

There will be the popular Terrier Racing on both days and the Young Farmers Tug of War County Final. New events for 2016 include the Poultry Show on Saturday and Rabbit Show on Sunday. There will also be an area where children can stroke rabbits and guinea pigs. Simon Bishop is bringing his fantastic Ferret Roadshow and people can learn more about these fascinating animals.

There will be a 10k run for adults and a new 1k Mini Trail Run for under 15’s.

The Demo Arena will be packed full of daring stunt shows including freestyle bike stunt legend, Jez Avery.

The Companion Dog Show takes place on the Saturday with pedigree and novelty classes to be entered.

There’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy in our Countryside Area. Meet the jig animals, milk a cow and get close to some Rare Breed sheep!

The Young Shepherd competition organised by the Rare Breed Survival Trust is back by popular demand for its second year and budding farmers of the future can learn how to prepare animals for showing and ring etiquette. Novice adults can also have a go and learning about showing sheep.

The Fell Pony Display team will be promoting this iconic native breed and visitors can watch sheepdog trials on both days.

In the Why Farming Matters area there will be sheep shearing demonstrations and a model farm for children to explore.

The Vintage Revival Marquee is a must visit for the fashionistas, with all you could ever want for your vintage wardrobe, wedding or home and tasty refreshments provided by the Village Hall Tea Room. Continuing the vintage theme, there will be a parade of historic cars and vintage motorcycles in the arena.

Throughout the weekend, there will be maypole dancing, performances by Ridley Bank Ballet and live music will be provided by the Ragtime Rascalls, Milnthorpe Steel Band, and singers Fiona Hanlan and Diana Denny.

Keep up to date with everything going on at Country Fest on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/countryfestwestmorland/

Discounted advance tickets are available online at: https://westmorlandshow.ticketsrv.co.uk/