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It promises to be another exciting and fun-filled three days for patrons attending Agrofest 2012, with a full slate of activities scheduled to take place over the February 24 to 26 weekend in Queen’s Park.

The national exhibition begins on Friday, February 24, with the judging of rabbits and pigs at 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. respectively, while the gates open for students to tour the exhibition at 10:00 a.m.

From 4:00 p.m. the general public will have their chance to view the exhibits, while from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the National Taskforce on Physical Activity and Exercise will conduct a line dancing session as part of efforts to promote the importance of keeping fit and living healthy.

One of the highlights of the opening day will be an Evening of Culinary Excellence, where some 300 Barbadians will have an opportunity to taste the best of local cuisine prepared by renowned local chef, Peter Edey.

The event, which is being organised by the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) in conjunction with Caribbean Cuisine, will feature a six-course array of Barbadian classics made entirely from local produce. It will commence with cocktails at 7:00 p.m. and ticket information on the event may be obtained by contacting the BAS at 436-6683/84.

The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) will have their Floodlight Tattoo from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the main pasture following the dinner, while some of the island’s finest reggae artistes will take the stage at 9:30 p.m. for Reggae in the Park.

Among the acts scheduled to perform are Daniel, LRG, Hotta Flames, Brimstone, Paul Lavine and the backing band is Fully Loaded.

On the following day, Saturday, February 25, the gates open at 10:00 a.m. with the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation’s Beef Show and the Pine Hill Dairy Show.

From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., patrons can view some of the best, young ???up and coming’ local chefs in action when the Junior Duelling Challenge, hosted by Chef, Peter Edey, takes place in the park.

Popular local dramatist, Jennifer Walker, will engage the audience through storytelling in the playpark from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m., while the Sheep Show will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the show ring. That event is being put on by the Barbados Sheep Farmers Inc.

From 5:00 p.m., the National Task Force on Physical Activity and Exercise will take to the main stage to carry out their kettle bell exercises.

It will be the turn of the RBPF band to take centre stage when they perform at the band stand from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m., while the day climaxes with the Best of Crop Over 2011 Live in Concert at 7:00 p.m. Scheduled to be on stage will be RPB, Edwin Yearwood, reigning calypso monarch Popsicle, Gorg, Stiffy and Soca Cartel featuring Blood and Mikey.

The final day, Sunday, February 26, commences with a Plantation Breakfast organised by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture at 8:00 a.m. The Junior Duelling Challenges continue from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., the Dairy Goat Show will be held in the show ring on the main pasture.

Storytelling continues from 2:15 to 3:00 p.m., while pan lovers will enjoy the pulsating rhythms of the SKS Steel Orchestra during Steel in the Park, which runs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. That event will be held on the Weymouth ???B’ pasture.

More activities are scheduled with the National Taskforce on Physical Activity and Exercise from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., while the Agility Dog Show, presented by the Barbados Dog Training Club, will be held from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. in the show ring on the main pasture.

The national festival will climax with an Agrofest Evening Gospel Concert, starting at 6:15 p.m. on the main stage. Slated to perform are Alison Norville-Forde, WACC, Sister Marshall, Chris-ann Weekes, Nicole Clarke, with the backing band Soul Winners.

Agrofest will be held under the theme Renewable Energy: Powering Agriculture to Success and, as such, several of this year’s exhibits will highlight the benefits of solar technology and recycling and demonstrate its practical application in an agricultural setting.

There will be a solar house and a renewable energy park and a few of the exhibits will focus on recycling, particularly the process of turning waste into energy.

Organisers of Agrofest, the BAS will lead the way with regard to the use of renewable energy by incorporating solar power into the livestock housing at their shows.

In addition, they will use solar power for the security monitoring systems and a solar powered generator will be on hand to provide electricity for the shows.

Children will have a special treat this year with an enlarged playing area at Weymouth ???B’, while exhibitors and patrons are reminded that Queen’s Park will be a non-smoking zone and, therefore, smoking will not be permitted in the park during the three-day event.

The BAS will be introducing several changes to this year’s event to ensure the exhibition runs even smoother.

Additional parking will be provided for patrons at the Insurance Corporation of Barbados car park at Roebuck Street, another ticket booth will be erected at the entrance of the Weymouth ???B’, and a new public entrance will be available for ticketholders via Weymouth ???B’.

Tickets for Agrofest can be purchased at the several box offices across the island:?? the BAS, "The Grotto", Beckles Road, St. Michael; Cave Shepherd, Broad Street; all Super Centre Stores; DaCosta Mannings branches at Fontabelle, Warrens, Pierhead, and Sheraton; Clear Vision Optical, #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.

Further information on the event may be obtained by contacting the Agrofest Secretariat, c/o The Barbados Agricultural Society, The Grotto, Beckles Road, St. Michael, at 436-6683, fax number 435-0651, email address agrofest@caribsurf.com or by visiting the website http://www.basonevoice.org/.

andre.skeete@barbados.gov.bb

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