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BAS, CEO, James Paul and??Agrofest mascot ‘Baje’ at the event’s??recent??launch at Divi Southwinds. (FP)

Preparations are going smoothly for what should be yet another successful staging of Agrofest.

This was affirmed by Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul, who told sponsors at a site visit in Queen’s Park, The City, yesterday, that plans were progressing well and he did not anticipate any major difficulties.

??"As you can see, they have started to set up in terms of the animal pens and, hopefully, a lot of that infrastructure should be in by this weekend. We want to thank the sponsors because it is an opportunity to promote the agricultural sector. Thank you for making this exhibition one of the best in the region, if not the best in the region, and we can only go from strength to strength," he said.

Co-ordinator of Agrofest, Thedore Fraser, in giving an overview of the exhibition which takes place from February 22 – 24, made an appeal to the party that wins the upcoming General Election to refrain from declaring the next day – the opening of Agrofest – a public holiday.

"I would like to take this opportunity to [ask you to] appeal to your representatives to ensure that whoever assumes office on the 21st [of February], not to call a bank holiday and disadvantage the little ones from having the opportunity to tour the exhibition because it is not only a chance for the schools to come out and visit but it is also a learning experience for them," Mr. Fraser implored. School children are allowed free entry into the Park on the first day of the exhibition.

Mr. Fraser also outlined the Programme of Activities for Agrofest which opens at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 22, to school children.

"They will be in the Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The judging of the rabbits and pigs will also be done early in the morning. We will have a Mother Sally and a Tuk Band while the kids are [here]. We close the gates at 2:00 p.m. and re-open at 4:00 p.m. to the general public.

He said that the highly anticipated Dinner Under the Stars would start at 7:00 p.m. It will be followed by a reggae concert featuring all local artistes from 9:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.

On Saturday, February 23, the exhibition will open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and will feature the popular Dairy Show. Local chef Peter Edey will conduct cooking demonstrations and there will be stilt-walking and kite-making workshops on Weymouth B. Well-known dramatist, Jennifer Walker, will be in the Park reciting stories for the children and the Sheep Show will come off around 2:00 p.m. Patrons should be prepared to work up a sweat with The National Task Force on Physical Activity and Exercise during their line dancing sessions at 5:00 p.m. Calypso fans will be treated to the The Best of Crop-Over 2012 show which begins at 7:30 p.m.

The last day of Agrofest, Sunday, February 24, will feature a Plantation Breakfast and Brunch starting at 8:00 a.m.; a Dairy Goat Show at 1:00 p.m., more storytelling, the St. Michael School Steel Orchestra which will be performing in the Band Stand; Zumba; an Agility Dog Show; and An Evening of Gospel beginning at 6:15 p.m. which will?? bring the curtain down on Agrofest 2013.

Tickets are available at the following box offices: The Barbados Agricultural Society; I-Ticket Cave Shepherd, Broad Street and Worthing, Christ Church; All Super Centre Stores; DaCosta Manning’s stores – Fontabelle, Warrens, Pier Head and Sheraton; Clear Vision Optical, No.11 Pine Road, Belleville, St. Michael; Roberts Manufacturing Feed Store, Lower Estate, St. George; Limerz Sports Bar, formerly De Place Mini-mart, Church Street, Speightstown, St. Peter; and Drippers Pro Shop, Aquatic Centre, Wildey, St. Michael.

Persons are reminded that Queen’s Park is a ???No-Smoking’ zone.

melissa.rollock@barbados.gov.bb

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