afternoon organisers said they were very pleased with the turnout for the first day of the 64th Agricultural Show.

Approximately 1,850 people attended, an increase from the rain-soaked first day last year.

A spokesperson said that several nursery schools attended as well as several senior citizens' groups, and said: "It was a good day all in all.'' His Excellency Governor Thorold Masefield and his wife, Jennifer, arrived for the official opening of the three-day show.

Despite the absence of the popular livestock exhibits due to the threat of foot-and-mouth disease, show-goers were treated to several animal exhibits, as well as the special attraction, the high revving, death-defying Honda Imps.

"Don't try this at home'' was the Imp's message as they stood on handlebars, jumped through fire and rode backward.

A cacophony emanated from the Jack King building where roosters cockadoodledoed, chickens clucked and scratched, rabbits and guinea pigs hopped and lazed about and pigeons cooed and fluttered, delighting both young and old.

Immaculate Bermuda fruits and vegetables shared the commercial slat house with the popular fruit and vegetable critters which were created by imaginative youngsters.

Wonderful examples of Bermuda roots, fruits and flowers were on display, such as arrowroot, enormous paw paws, cherries, loquats, and bananas next to exquisite orchids and bromeliads.

Also in the slat house were the popular Bonsai trees, and a beautiful six-year-old Juniper grown by Norvell Wright of Paget won first prize and best in show.

The J.J. Outerbridge Building housed a virtual rainbow of cut flowers, model gardens, children's potted plants container grown vegetables, hibiscus, day lilies, passion flowers and African violets.

St. George's resident Mr. Bartram produced a beautiful bunch of Easter lilies, winning him best in show while Bermuda High School student, ten-year-old Sophie Furrow of Sandy's won best in class for her magnificent Bermuda cedar tree.

One of the most informative exhibitions of the show was housed in the educational building, where educational displays, terrariums and aquariums and junior artwork educated both visitors and residents.

School displays included topics such as biodiversity, mosquito madness, invasive animals and plants, animals in Bermuda, recycling, farming in Bermuda, Paget marsh, and life cycles of frogs and toads, Eastern Bluebirds, and Monarch Butterflies.

One exhibit sure to make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end won the best exhibit by a primary school, an Insectarium housing two-inch-long cockroaches, created by seven-year-olds in primary three at St. George's Primary School.

Walk westward to the flower arrangements located in the Horticultural Hall to see beautiful arrangements in classic and contemporary styles.

A most interesting display by Warwick resident Alice Abbot was entitled "Recycling Time''utilising beautiful flowers and foliage as well as cans, bottles, and a pedal-cycle wheel.

Ms Abbot's display won her first prize and best in show.

Woodcraft filled the arrowroot factory -- the future site of the Masterworks foundation -- and an exquisite Bermuda cedar Queen Anne Blanket chest by Mark Lucas of Devonshire won first prize and is a must-see for fine furniture lovers.

The show would not be possible without the hard work of an army of volunteers who not only runs stands, but also mans the gates and helps make the show so successful and enjoyable.

An eye on the trophies: A competitor in the adult equitation section of the show takes a closer look at some of the silverware up for grabs.

AG SHOW PICTURE SPECIAL It won't bite: Nine-year-old Neil Turini takes a closer look at one of the cleverly made critters.

Knowing your onions: You would have to be an expert to tell which is the best out of theses Bermuda onions -- all ready for the frying pan! Hang on: Three young imps' members perform a three-man stunt on their mini-cycles.

Moose loose about this hoose: A fruit is turned into a realistic looking moose at the popular critter section of the show.