ONE of Thurrock's most popular events takes place tomorrow Saturday (2 September) when the Orsett Show returns. 

The traditional rural family show, which has free admission for children under 16, hosts a wide range of things to do with dramatic entertainment in the main ring and sporting areas, fun fair rides, quiet corners where you can reflect on local heritage or watch crafts – and you can even try out the special created Giggly Pig Orsett Show Sausage! 

The show is supported by main sponsor the Port of Tilbury and a wide range of other local companies – plus an arm of committee members, organisers and volunteers. 

Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director of the Port of Tilbury said: "The Port of Tilbury is once again the proud sponsor of the Orsett show, which is always a brilliant day for the community.

"The show, like the port, is an important part of Thurrock's history and we wish the event team every success. If you are attending the show tomorrow, make sure you stop at the port's stall for some give aways."

Orsett Show has a history dating back centuries but the modern version started with a revival of the show by Captain T. C. Douglas Whitmore and his son Francis in 1895 when they started the Orsett and District Cottage Garden and Agricultural Society. 

Show was held in the park at Orsett Hall and continued to prosper until the outbreak of the First World War. It was restarted on 13 September 1919, when classes for vegetables and horses in the Grand Ring were introduced. 

It ran uninterrupted until the show due to be held on Wednesday, 3 September 1939 was  stopped by the Second World War, which had been declared three days earlier. 

On Wednesday 4th September 1946 the Show once again returned, with Horse and Pig sections in addition to the Horticultural Show. 1947 saw the introduction of an Agricultural section, the return of Cattle Classes and a record attendance of 7,000. In 1949 the Show changed to a Saturday, and introduced a Fur and Feather section.

It has continued to grow, moving to the Showground after Orsett Hall was sold by the Whitmore family in 1968.   

The Covid pandemic caused a temporary halt to the show but it was back last year and proved as popular as ever. 

The star attraction in this year's main ring will be the Imps motorcycle display team who will be making a return visit to the Show. The ring will also host other entertainment including the showing of horses, including the ever-popular heavy horses. Lea Valley 

And it will feature the parade of vintage steam engines and classic vehicles. 

Other display performances will show off the talent of the Birds of Prey Flying Display team and the Lee Valley Dog Training team. 

Live music will be provided by Tilbury Brass Band, the Swingtime Sweethearts and the Jelly Roll Jazz Band and there will be other roaming performers including StartThurrock.

The traditional showing and judging of livestock will take place and there will be agricultural displays as well as competitive showjumping. 

Marquees will host the judging of home grown plants and vegetables and many crafts and trade stalls will be open. 

Local history is well represented with many volunteers and experts on the borough's history filling the heritage marquee with many memories. 

And there will be many food outlets, including the opportunity to sample the newly created Orsett Show Sausage, produced by Giggly Pig. It is a long sausage in a long roll containing pork, apple sauce and stuffing. It can be purchased to eat from their stand or packs of the sausages can be purchased in The Pantry, where many other fine local foodstuffs will be available. 

There are bars and the opportunity to buy hot food from a wide variety of vendors. 

The full scheduled for the show and more details about it can be found via this link. 

Advance tickets can be purchased up until midnight on Friday, 1 September from website http://www.orsettshow.co.uk.  Adults £16 and concessions £13. Children 0-16 years free (when accompanied by an adult). 

Admission on the Gate: Adults £18 and Concessions £15. Children 0-16 years free (when accompanied by an adult). 

The Orsett Showground is on Rectory Road, Orsett, RM16 3JU. The post code for public car parking and horse box parking RM16 3BD. The Showground has ample free parking.