More than 300 different activities, workshops, displays and competitions are on offer over the three days of the Kent County Show, which opens its gates today.

The show is the highlight of the county agricultural calendar and attracts thousands every year – some 80,000 visited last year.

This year’s celebration of all things Kentish blends the county’s proud agricultural heritage with the latest in farming, produce and entertainment.

Acts and animals taking to the rings to treat the crowds to some thrills and spills include young riders competing in the main Astor Ring in the Shetland Pony Grand National.

Alongside them, there are members of the farming community proudly showing their carefully groomed and cared-for livestock, food and drink producers offering a taste of what the county has to offer and live music, from traditional brass bands to local singing groups, plus flowers and fruit.

New this year is Dexter the animatronic dinosaur and there's a dino nursery with three prehistoric charges to meet, plus Titan the robot will be meeting crowds again this year.

Show manager Lucy Hegarty said: “Each year we try to organise a variety of displays and entertainment. Our job is to balance the more traditional displays alongside some new, unique and contemporary entertainment. This year we have tried to vary the entertainment highlights and give visitors something a little bit different.”

This year security has been stepped up and visitors can expect random bag searches.

Look out for the passing sights of Mr and Mrs Flora, stilt walkers covered from head-to-toe in scented flowers, the pole climbing championships, splash n' dash events for dogs and a fairground.

Kids can enjoy a Tractor Ted bouncy castle, welly wanging and Punch and Judy, and new this year is a vintage dairy to give visitors a flavour of milking a herd in days gone by.

Lucy said: “It is important that all of our visitors have a wonderful day out. While we know that the animals are a major part of the experience, we are also aware that education that is fun can be extremely powerful. All over the showground there are pockets of amazing displays, demonstrations and activities where people can join in.”

This year will see the highest number of cattle and sheep entries for five years, with 422 sheep entries, 393 cattle entries and 82 goat entries, with even the number of fleeces in the wool competition being boosted by 10%.

Some of the highlights:

Titan the robot will be at the main gate at 10.30am and 12.30pm each day and at the corner of Alan Day House at 3pm.

The Spirit of Kent Spitfire will be making its flypasts over the Astor Ring on all three days at 12.30pm.

The grand parade of livestock is held every day at 2.30pm in the Astor Ring.

The Lamb National with lambs and their tiny riders will be battling it out at the Cattle Ring at 1pm and at 3pm on all three days.

Young farmers' fancy dress event Saturday, at 3.45pm, young farmers' area.

Live music from 10am all three days at the bandstand, including the Rock Choir, Maidstone-based Fred Clark, the retro Casablanca Steps, the Biggin Hillbillies and Invicta Jazz.

Steam displays on all three days in the Heritage Ring – at 11am on Friday, 11am on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday and on Sunday heritage vehicles will parade around the showground at 1.30pm.

DETAILS

The Kent County Show will be held on Friday, July 7, Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9 at the Kent Showground in Detling, Maidstone, between 8am and 6pm.

Tickets are £23 on the gate, with a child ticket costing £7 on the gate. A family ticket for two adults and two children between five and 15 costs £50 on the gate. Under fives are free and parking is free. For details go to kentshowground.co.uk or call 01622 633060.