Support from the agricultural industry for the annual "cheese show" in Frome, Somerset, is proving to be stronger than ever with two thirds of the trade space already sold.
This year's show, the 129th, is being held at the West Woodlands Showground on Saturday, September 9th, with judging in the cheese classes which have given the show both its nationwide reputation and its local nickname, taking place the day before.
The show, one of the biggest one day events in the region, already attracts wide year on year support from agricultural manufacturers and suppliers, selling between them everything from feed and fertilisers to forage harvesters and fork lift trucks.
This year show regulars are being joined by animal health and nutritional specialists, suppliers of woodland and countryside services and of farm maintenance equipment as well as newcomers to the ranks of tractor dealers, feed merchants and equestrian tack manufacturers.
Show Secretary Brenda Scott said that the show had its roots firmly planted in the farming and rural life and had been one of the most important agricultural market places in the southwest throughout its long history.
"It's also become one of the region's most popular family days out with a huge array of other attractions and entertainment but it has never lost its agricultural character, especially as a major showcase for both the country's top cheese makers and for the smaller, local producers.
"In fact this year's Wyke Farms-sponsored Cheese Pavilion will be bigger and better than ever with a 150ft framed marquee replacing the more traditional 100ft one which we have used for several years.
"It means that the hundreds of entries in the cheese classes can be much better displayed, that there will be more space for demonstrations and that we will be able to accommodate the ever growing number of trade stands which have become a major feature of the pavilion."
The show received a major boost last year when the Grand Parade of livestock winners was put back into the programme after a gap of some years because of foot and mouth restrictions while this year's show will benefit from the bi-ennial Holstein Society competitions as well as from new sheep, goat and cattle classes.
Added Brenda Scott: "We are already at the point we were at in July last year so the message has to be: if you want to exhibit at the 2006 Frome Show, contact us now or it might be too late."
