The 77th Agricultural Exhibition will go ahead as planned this April and it might have a few surprises in store, according to MP Jeff Sousa.

“At this point we really want to get the message out that the show will go on,” Mr Sousa said. “This is going to be a local show, with local entertainment and a few surprises.

“I want to emphasise that this is a community event, put on for the community and supported by the community.”

As a result, the name of the event is being changed to the Ag Show and the Government event will retain the title of Agricultural Exhibition.

“We can truly come together as one people to put on this event. It’s part of our fabric and our culture,” Mr Sousa said. Mr Sousa, One Bermuda Alliance MP for Warwick West, reached out to followers on social media this month to urge the community to come together and help to hold the event as planned.

His bid came after Government decided to withdraw funding as a cost-cutting measure agreed upon by them and the Bermuda Trade Union Congress after three days of industrial action.

“We are really pleased it has come this far and would like to thank all the volunteers who came forward, and encourage more people to do so,” Mr Sousa said.

He said a lot of work had been going on behind the scenes over the past couple of weeks, with an executive committee having been put together, as well as a fundraising committee, a grounds committee and an entertainment committee.

When asked if the event might have to be scaled back, Mr Sousa said that there will only be local entertainment, but he added that a lot of the work had already been done because many of the associations and federations, such as the Bermuda Equestrian Federation, the Rose Society or the Orchid Society, organise individual events months in advance. He said charities and schools run the concession stands.

“Many organisations look to this event as a fundraiser,” Mr Sousa said.

Chairman of the executive committee, Joanne MacPhee, said Government had agreed to lend them the grounds, as well as prepare the grounds and buildings, but that was where they had drawn the line.

She said: “From a spectator’s or participant’s perspective you might have an idea what’s expected, but it’s not until you speak to the people behind the scenes that you begin to appreciate the enormity of the task.

“But we are up to the challenge and it’s definitely going ahead.”

Mr Sousa added: “I would like to put out an appeal to businesses, both local and international, to assist with sponsorship.”

Mr Sousa also said that the $10 admission fee would be retained. The event will be held on April 16, 17 and 18 in the Botanical Gardens.