Lincolnshire Show online goes global

From Australia to America, viewers from across the world came together virtually to be part of the first ever Lincolnshire Show Online, which took place on June 24.
The Lincolnshire Show main ring - this year it had to be a virtual arena. EMN-200807-173411001The Lincolnshire Show main ring - this year it had to be a virtual arena. EMN-200807-173411001
The Lincolnshire Show main ring - this year it had to be a virtual arena. EMN-200807-173411001

Held on an online platform, the virtual show has quickly become one of the most successful online agricultural shows to date, with more than 60,000 page views recorded throughout the day.

The 136th show also had more than 10,000 unique visitors to the website in just one day, which would be a third of the usual visitors to the traditional Lincolnshire Show, if it were held on one day instead of the traditional two days.

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The action-packed day, which will still be available to watch online for the next few weeks, was filled with virtual entertainment, online networking, live music, cookery demonstrations and much more.

There were many highlights of this year's online show and the platform can now be used for future ventures. EMN-200807-173424001There were many highlights of this year's online show and the platform can now be used for future ventures. EMN-200807-173424001
There were many highlights of this year's online show and the platform can now be used for future ventures. EMN-200807-173424001

The event, which has historically taken place at the Lincolnshire Showground for 60 years, is one of the county’s flagship events attracting more than 60,000 visitors each year, but this year the traditional show was forced to cancel due to Covid-19.

Jayne Southall, chief executive of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at the Lincolnshire Showground, said: “We are so pleased with the results and success of the Lincolnshire Show Online, and for it to be seen from all over the world is a fantastic achievement – it really has put Lincolnshire on the map and we are delighted.

“More than ten per cent of our visitors were from America and the rest of the world and we have had feedback from as far as Australia to say how fantastic it was. Almost 20% of viewers were from Lincoln and the rest were from Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and beyond – it is really great to see people engaging with the show from across the UK. Hopefully it has given a flavour of the show to those who haven’t visited before and are interested in coming to the 2021 Lincolnshire Show.

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“When we made the decision to cancel the traditional show this year, we were absolutely devastated, but we tried to be positive and quickly thought of ways to keep the Lincolnshire Show alive – and the Lincolnshire Show Online did exactly that.

“We partnered with TRS Design, CityX and Cartwright Communications to create the Lincolnshire Show Online platform, which we can use again for other online events, to coincide with any held at the Showground or to support other event venues and charities that, like us, have been affected by the recent events.”

Jayne added: “As a charitable organisation, we are passionate about promoting education, food, farming and the countryside within Lincolnshire and we are asking for donations, big or small, from those that enjoyed the show and are keen to offer their support. By donating to the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, people can help support the society’s objectives to educate adults and young people.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support received, from our exhibitors, sponsors, partners and most importantly the visitors, online or in person, who help bring the Lincolnshire Show to life.”

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Although this year’s show took place on a website rather than on site at the Lincolnshire Showground, the typical show format remained the same where online visitors were able to explore six different zones including Main Ring and Aviation, Education Zone, Lincolnshire Kitchen and Food Court, Trade Exhibitors, Agriculture Zone and Countryside and Heritage Area.

Highlights included entertainment from the Red Arrows, RAF Falcons and Broke FMX, as well as a mixture of exhibitors, across the food and drink, arts and crafts, education, agricultural and retail sectors, as well as cookery demonstrations from award-winning chefs.

The Lincolnshire Show Online is still available to watch at www.lincolnshireshowonline.co.uk

The Lincolnshire Show 2021 will take place on June 23 and 24.