A new traffic plan has been put in place to deal with the expected attendance next Sunday of more than 50,000 people at the Tullamore Show, which has become the foremost event of its kind in Ireland.
An additional 2,000 extra car spaces have been provided at the 150-acre site at Charleville Estate outside the town, which is the venue for the event and AIB National Livestock Show.
The organising committee has responded to complaints of traffic delays in recent years as the event grew in importance to the stage where it is now the most important showcase for livestock in the annual calendar.
The event costs more than €500,000 to stage. This year there will be more than 500 major trade and machinery stands, a 25 per cent increase on last year.
Entries in the AIB National Livestock show have increased by 5 per cent. There will be 960 classes to be judged and €150,000 in prize money. These competitions have replaced the old Royal Dublin Society Spring Show event, which ended in the early 1990s.
The show will be formally opened by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan.
In keeping with the changing trends in agriculture and especially the need for farmers to find alternative crops, there will be an alternative energy exhibition at the show for the second year running.
The show will also feature the €2,000 national inventions competition. Glenisk will host the Glenisk home cooking championship and there will be a cook of the show competition. The best dressed woman competition this year carries a prize of €1,000 from Sasha.
Other attractions include the horticulture and flower show, Clydesdale horses, the new addition of the mounted pony games and the dog show - which must be pre-entered. There will be many sideshows, such as the vintage section, rare breeds and American-style sheepdog trials.
Admission costs €10 with under-14s free.