The National Ploughing Championships, to be held in Fivealley, Birr, Co Offaly, from September 30th to October 2nd, are expected to attract 120,000 visitors. The largest event of its kind in the world, this year's show will feature five miles of stand frontage and 3.5 miles of special trackway in the trade stand area.
"We have hired all the trackway we have been able to lay our hands on this year," said Ms Anna Marie McHugh, information officer.
She said 313 competitors would take part in the ploughing competitions, with participants from every county in Ireland and from seven other countries. She said the event would feature 50 acres of trade stands where there will be 800 exhibitors, many from overseas.
The event is being hosted by Padraig and Grace Grennan. Their immediate neighbours, Stephen and Jackie Dermody, are also providing land for the ploughing competitions and other neighbours will facilitate car parking.
Fears that the event might be affected by the bad grain harvest are receding as most of the crops are already saved, even though yields in some areas are down.