A new free-admission scheme could attract the Ag Show’s biggest crowd, the event’s organiser said yesterday.

Jeff Sousa explained that this year’s agricultural event, which starts tomorrow, would offer free admission to children aged under 16 and seniors across its three-day run. Mr Sousa said: “This is the first time this has ever taken place. It stands a chance of being a record year if there’s good weather.”

He added the free admission scheme was made possible by the Bermudian business world, including sponsors Axis, an insurer and reinsurer, and HSBC, who “wanted to be more involved”.

Mr Sousa said he saw the admission change as a “big blessing” for cash-conscious families looking for affordable entertainment and for the public as a whole. He said that instead of spending money on tickets and parking, families could use their cash to support local vendors and every vendor has to be associated with a charity.

The event includes the traditional animal exhibits, an equestrian programme, a floral show, and school exhibitions.

Mr Sousa said horse and carriage displays would also be back in the main ring.

He said there was a “strong tradition” related to the old-style transport in Bermuda’s history.

But Mr Sousa added: “We don’t see them on Front Street like we used to.”

He said that this year’s event would also feature a “spectrum of local talent” on the entertainment stage, including school choirs, bands and dance schools.

Mr Sousa added that performances would help reflect this year’s show theme of “Through the Ages”.

Mr Sousa said that emphasis had been put on providing a “mixture” of food to show visitors, including both savoury and sweet options including Portuguese-style malassadas, deep fried and sugar-coated dough balls. Mr Sousa added: “I’m drooling now just thinking about it.”

He said the show helped Bermudians reflect on the island’s development from “a seafaring, whaling and fishing village” to agriculture.

He added: “Where we see golf courses today, were fields. A lot of people forget that era.”

The 2018 Ag Show will be held at the Botanical Gardens in Paget. For more information and to buy tickets visit https://www.theagshowbda.com/.