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THREE wise men have been lined up to choose the best-dressed lady at this weekend’s South Kerry Ploughing Championships and Harvest Show on Fleming’s Farm in Grenagh, Fossa, in Killarney.

Local insurance agent and DJ Gavin O’Leary, who was the best-dressed man at the Killarney Races in July, will be joined by master entertainer Jack Patrick Healy – described as Killarney’s Liberace – and dapper gentleman farmer Sean O’Donoghue as the celebrity adjudicators in the style contest.

They will also select the best-dressed man and the most eye-catching Wellingtons with fantastic prizes up for grabs for the winners, including overnight stays in the five-star Europe Hotel and Resort for the best dressed winners and a voucher for MacBees fashion boutique.

Sunday’s day-long carnival will also feature a bonny baby contest with a prize of a full Kerry GAA playing strip for the winner while Macra na Feirme will be back with their hugely popular celebrity dunking Super Soaker stall and a traditional tug-o-war.

In addition to hosting a rugby blitz on the day, Killarney Rugby Club members, meanwhile, will run the fun maze in the maize with all proceeds from that event going to the club.

Now in its fourth year, the South Kerry Ploughing Championships and Harvest Show is a charity community event that turns back the clock and looks to the future on the same afternoon.

Fast developing into one of the social highlights of the year in Kerry, it has already helped to generate in excess of €60,000 for local organisations and this year’s beneficiaries will be the Kerry branch of the Irish Kidney Association, Down Syndrome Kerry, the Irish Pilgrimage Trust and the Kerry-Cork Health Link Bus.

It is organised by the Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club and there will be several celebrities in attendance on the day, mingling with the thousands of people expected to flock to the venue on the main Killarney to Killorglin road.

A big attraction this year is that it will incorporate the National Rally of the Irish Vintage Society, showcasing Ireland’s great heritage, with vintage tractors and vehicles and static and stationary engines visiting from all over Ireland. This year’s show will also feature a round of the Irish Tractor Pulling Championships which is always a great spectacle.

The event will feature numerous trade stands, traditional and modern method ploughing demonstrations, shearing competitions, harvesting demos, machinery showcases and traditional farm practice exhibitions.

There will be an all-breed dog show with several prize categories, including best groomed, cutest face, best dressed, best rescued dog, best in show and best junior handler. The adjudicator will be Kathleen Allen of Doggy Do’s Grooming.

Two fun zones with rollercoasters will be on site to keep children – and the young at heart – amused and novelty sideshow events this year will include baking competitions and live music to create a real party atmosphere.

Several food zones will be on site at this year’s South Kerry Ploughing Championships and Harvest Show and there will be activities and novelties on the day for people of all ages and interests, including vintage and classic vehicle displays, stationary engines, competitions for fabulous prizes and so much more.

A major traffic management plan will be enforced while the Ploughing Championships and Harvest Show will take place in an adjoining 60 acres of land owned by the Fleming family. Visitors are asked to follow the instructions of the stewards and Gardaí.
 

 
Above: Organising committee member Eilish Cronin models a pair of stylish Wellingtons for celebrity best-dressed contest judges Gavin O'Leary, Sean O'Donoghue and Jack Patrick Healy.