Public primary schools held their own agricultural exhibitions yesterday after the annual show was cancelled.

The Ministry of Education encouraged the schools to host their own Ag Shows after Agricultural Exhibition Ltd, which organises the show, cancelled the 2022 show after a rise in Covid-19 cases last fall and winter halted efforts to organise the event.

Several primary schools brought produce, livestock and other exhibits to their fields and treated youngsters to their own small-scale exhibition.

Francis Patton Primary School in Hamilton Parish saw staff and pupils bring in spring-themed exhibits such as miniature gardens and traditional Bermuda kites.

The youngsters also got to handle farm animals and were treated to a free hot dog lunch sponsored by the school’s PTA.

Todd Fox, the principal of Francis Patton, said: “To see the community synergise in order to make this event possible is great to see, and further highlights the positive things happening in the Bermuda public school system.”

Nikkisha Ming, the school’s social studies teacher who helped to organise the school’s exhibition, added: “It’s been a wonderful day — the children were full of excitement and everything has been running smoothly.

Ms Ming said: “I just want to thank the wonderful staff here.

“We have awesome parents at Francis Patton Primary and I especially thank our students here for actually bringing in exhibits and being willing to participate.”

St David’s Primary School had more than 100 agricultural exhibits and were visited by Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, and George Dowling III, the Mayor of St George’s.

Youngsters were also treated to food stalls that sold snacks and hot dogs and finished the day off with a game of tug-o-war.

Gladstone Thompson, the school’s principal, said it was important for the pupils to experience the Ag Show because it was an annual tradition with important cultural ties.

He explained: “We are known to be a very strong cognitive school, but we want people to understand that we aim to be that balanced school.

“We want the children to engage in tradition, cognitive excellence and core subjects.”

Mr Thompson added: “The children had a wonderful time. We believe that the children have not missed the exhibit. They just had it on site.”

Somerset Primary School, Paget Primary School and Victor Scott Primary in Pembroke also held their own miniature Ag Shows.

West Pembroke Primary School will hold its Ag Show on May 24.