The 85th annual Agricultural Exhibition started off strong today as hundreds visited the Botanical Gardens for the three-day event.

The spring fair featured farm animals, handmade crafts and seasonal showcases for attendees of all ages.

Annette Mitko, 34, got her first experience of the show while visiting with her boyfriend, Jamie Rosser.

“It’s been lovely,” she said. “I think this is really unique — I’ve never actually been to an Ag Show before.”

Ms Mitko, from Boston, said her partner was originally from Bermuda and that the pair decided to have a weeklong “family reunion”.

She added she had visited several state fairs back home but saw this as more “nature-focused”.

Her favourite aspect was the flower decorations and their uses in everything from decorated hats to lunch boxes.

Ms Mitko said: “We’re just kind of seeing what they have to offer for the rest of the week.

“We’re thinking about seeing some of the horses later.”

Mr Rosser said it was the first time he had visited the Ag Show in more than a decade.

He added: “I missed seeing the vegetable critters. One of my favourite things when I was younger was making the vegetable critters.”

Mr Rosser said his 38th birthday was on Saturday and that the couple planned to celebrate with a nature walk before returning home on Monday.

Meanwhile, Yezmin Martin, 25, and Gladwyn Smith, 30, accompanied their 19-month-old son, Gladwyn Smith Jr, with his nursery for his first Ag Show.

Mr Smith said they had spent the morning “taking in all the smells” and looking at farm animals — something his son particularly enjoyed.

He added that it had been several years since the couple last visited.

Mr Smith said: “It feels good to be back; I like it. It’s exactly as I remember.”

Ms Martin said that, while there were not many activities available for her son, he still enjoyed the livestock and performances.

She added: “It’s a good day to be out — the weather’s very nice.”

The fair had several performances, including horse shows and musical events.

This year also saw the return of several showcases, including the fan-favourite pigs and the US-based Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, back for the first time since 2011.

Lee LeCaptain, the head of the show, said it felt “wonderful” to be back.

He said: “This is my third time coming here and I can say with all sincerity that this is the nicest place to go.

“The people are magic. I would like to see the whole entire world have a chance to come here because I think they can see it’s a better place.”

The group specialises in woodcraft-themed shows such as log-rolling, axe throwing and wood-chopping competitions — all with a healthy dose of humour to tie it together.

Melissa Demetri, one of their performers, said today’s crowd was the most interactive she had ever seen.

She said: “When people are having fun, getting into it and laughing along with the jokes, that makes it ten times better for us too.”

Ms Demetri, who has been with the company for about four years, added this was her first time visiting Bermuda.

She said: “I love the island life, so I can’t complain. I’m in heaven right now.

“The people here are amazing — they’re some of the nicest people we’ve met on the road.”

The Ag Show will continue to run tomorrow and Saturday, between 8am and 5.30pm both days.