About Us
The Original Mirfield Show (1944)
The original Mirfield Show was founded during 1944 'to bring a little sunshine into the wartime lives of local people' and three years later when the war had ended, the show was bigger and better than ever, with record entries from all over the country. The president was Colonel James Walker, and it was opened by Councillor J H Barraclough, chairman Mirfield urban district council, who said the show was a credit to the people of Mirfield, adding that at a time when this country needs to produce the maximum amount of food, Mirfield was doing its best to lead the way by encouraging farmers to produce better agriculture and livestock. It was not all plain sailing for the show, and in 1954 there were fears that a poor year would mark the end of Mirfield Show, however it didn't, and the committee battled on. The show reached its peak in the early 1960's with a record number of entries, however after several years of decline it ceased to take place.
The Modern Mirfield Show (1995)
In 1995 the idea to recreate Mirfield Show was discussed and Mirfield Agricultural Society was founded to organise 'something which reflected the spirit of Mirfield, that was a fun day out for all the whole family, and that the people of Mirfield could be proud of.' In conjunction with Lower Hopton Allotment Association the first show was on Sunday 20th August with classes for horse and pony, dogs, poultry, rabbits, flowers, vegetables, domestic and crafts. The first show saw duck herding, a tug of war organised by Mirfield Sports Council and a display from Mirfield Martial Arts and was enjoyed by over a thousand visitors.
Subsequent years have seen many main ring attractions such as sheep shearing, dog displays, motorbikes, majorettes, roman re-enactments, bike displays, birds of prey, fire service displays, shirehorses, bushtucker trials and childrens races - with even more attractions such as climbing walls, archery, fencing, steam trains, pony rides, farm animals, silver bands and puppet shows across the showground. Despite the rains of 2008 over four thousand people attended, and in 2009 over 8,000 visited Mirfield Show at some point throughout the day.
Mirfield Show has continued to grow, and thanks for this is due to you for coming along to join in the fun, the army of volunteers and external support, and also to the wide range of local businesses and organisations that support us by sponsoring attractions, taking adverts in the program or by taking up a stall on the day.
Record Breaking Year (2010)
Mirfield Show continued to embrace the family as well as it's agricultural roots, and 2010 saw a record breaking year, with 12,000 people flocking through the gates throughout the days event.
Main ring attractions saw the Royal Artillery Parachute Team wow the crowd by dropping in from their plane into the grounds, the Kangaroo Gymnastics Display Team performing increasingly more difficult and spectacular moves with over 250 somersaults including many doubles and triples and the Mirfield Town Crier Finals judged by Dewsbury's principal Town Crier Laurie Gilbert, a panel and most importantly the crowd. Field attractions require_onced climbing wall, archery, bungee trampolines, inflatable, flight simulator, beach, animals, puppet shows, martial, arts and cookery demonstrations. It was also a bumper year for entrants across flower, vegetable, childrens, domestic, rabbits, cavies, horses and dogs - with many new family competitions including Rabbit Jumping and Children's Fancy Dress - and new record prize money for winners.