Families made farmyard friends and learned important lessons about Norfolk's countryside at the 18th annual Spring Fling.
Children and their parents made up the majority of the 5,000-strong crowd at the Norfolk Showground for the Easter holiday event hosted by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA).
As well as the chance to meet spring lambs, dairy cows and dancing sheep, there were chances to experience the progressive side of modern farming, by climbing into the cab of a combine harvester, or driving a virtual version through computer-generated fields on a simulator.
The event, aimed predominantly at children aged between four and 11 years old, featured more than 70 stands with interactive demonstrations and educational games to help them understand the journey of their food from field to fork.
Among the visiting families were Claire Moore and her four children – Harry, 14, Thomas, eight, Oliver, four, and two-year-old Isla – from Gwyn Crescent in Fakenham.
Mrs Moore said: 'It's great to make yourself more aware of things.
'Where we used to live we were surrounded by fields and often surrounded by pea harvesters. Now we've moved to Fakenham, but Harry still does the farming simulator on his X-Box. Even now farming is in the back of his mind as a career option.
'It is really important. It has given them the understanding that peas don't come in a bag from the supermarket, and they know the work that goes into looking after it and harvesting it.'
Among the farmers at the show was Helen Reeve, with a cow and calf from her Waveney Dexter Beef herd. She said: 'It is a good way of showing off what we do in Norfolk and to show people outside of farming that what we are doing is really important.
'We are part of the environment and part of producing food for their plates. If you can inspire one younger person to get interested in where their food comes from it might just ignite a spark that it could be a good career to get into.
Greg Smith, chief executive of the RNAA, said: 'We think it's really important that every child should have the opportunity to learn about the environment in which they are living. 'It's important, because the richness of farming and what goes on in the countryside can give people lessons in life.'
Event attractions included a variety of spring lambs and cattle, rare breeds, scientific experiments, sausage and ice cream making, tractor and trailer rides, dog displays and the ever-popular dancing sheep in the Sheep Show.
Organisations attending included Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Green Britain Centre, National Trust, RSPB, Norfolk Young Farmers, Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, and Easton and Otley College.
Some visitors to the Easton and Otley College stand were encouraged to predict what careers they would end up in by writing on an aspiration wall, while others were shown livestock, a drone, and a tractor simulator.
Hannah Dagless from the college's marketing team said: 'By creating various interactive activities, we are able to help demonstrate some of the amazing opportunities that are available in food, farming and the countryside to young people. Hopefully this will inspire them to consider working in these industries in the future.'
What was your favourite attraction at the Spring Fling today? Leave your comments below.
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