There were no disappointments yesterday, at the start of the Annual Exhibition, which drew big smiles and curious eyes.

It was the 69th Exhibition and it started off with thousands of people descending on the Botanical Gardens to witness some of the Island’s natural wonders.

“Come Grow With Us,” is this year’s theme and judging by the feelings of discovery of those in attendance, the invitation was seized.

And, by no surprise, it was the pigs that were one of the favourite sights and was fascinating through the eyes of on-looking children.

Chickens, plants, guinea pigs plus a variety of food stalls and other entertainment were present.

About 16 pupils from the East End Primary School kicked things off by entertaining people with their instrumental performance and songs.

Then, a crowd-pleasing acrobatic performance by the visiting world-renowned Jessie White Tumbling Team followed.

A small giggle was heard after one of their coaches forgot where he was when he made reference to the Bahamas when addressing to the crowd on a microphone.

“The Tumbling Team was great fun,” said Dana Smith who along with his mother, brother and sister-in-law, were visiting the Bermuda for the first time.

“None of us can claim this beautiful weather, other than our visit to Hawaii. This is a lot like our state fair where I’m from in Minnesota, maybe bigger, but it’s along the same idea.

“We heard about Bermuda and the Exhibition through the internet and we got on a plane to come see it for ourselves.”

Mabelle Smith, 90, from Maine, revealed: “I came here after seeing an ad in the paper back in the States about Bermuda and since I’ve never been here, I thought I’d like to come.”

A Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB) demonstration showing two bundles of recycled crushed soda cans is giving an mp3 player to anyone who can guess the exact number of cans in any bundle.

Around 30 people made an attempt at the challenge, but there were no winners yesterday.

“We’re trying to raise awareness in keeping the Island beautiful as well as KBB and are working with waste management here, to bring the message of recycling to young people,” explained KBB volunteer Richard Lathan.

“I remember when I was going to school, whenever you’d hear about KBB, you knew what it was. Many people who are now parents say that their kids don’t know what KBB is.

“We had little kids who had fun learning about waste disposal, if it was a can, they threw it in the blue container and the green one if it was a piece of paper.”

Spotted peeking at the sizeable section of well-groomed rabbits was Governor Sir John Vereker along with Lady Vereker.

“I think this is a wonderful exhibition especially seeing the children with their families,” said Lady Vereker. “The highlight of the day was this morning when I picked up a toad to show the primary children gathered, that it’s harmless, after they were afraid of it.”

Premier Ewart Brown was on hand to officially open the event. Among those in attendance were judging officials from the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

An estimated 25,000 people are expected to show up this year for the event - which is taking place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow.

The price of admission for children over five is $4 and $8 for adults. Pedestrian entrances are located on South Shore Road, Point Finger Road, and Berry Hill Road.

Entrances for vehicles are located on South Shore Road and Berry Hill Road.