Hundreds of people attended the first day of this year’s Agricultural Exhibition at the Botanical Gardens yesterday.

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, spoke at the event, which is the first exhibition to be held in person in four years.

He said: “This is the first time that Government is running the Ag Show via the Department of Parks in several years.”

Mr Darrell, who is also the Acting Minister of Public Works, thanked the department for making the event possible with such short notice.

He said: “Despite suddenly being asked to take over the reins with this iconic cultural event in January, the Department of Parks rose to the occasion to make it happen.”

More than 2,200 exhibits, including goats, chickens, produce, flowers, crafts and Bermuda kites, are on display this year.

Mr Darrell’s personal favourite exhibit is the pigs, which he called “an exhibition tradition”.

Spectators in the upper area watched equestrians compete for trophies and local singers, bands and dance groups entertained people in the lower section.

Jane Bermingham came with her eight-year-old grandson, Francis Stewart, and was thrilled to be back after such a long time.

She said: “I have been going for so many years and I absolutely love it. My favourite part is the livestock.”

Similar to his grandmother, Francis also enjoyed the animals, in particular the bunnies.

Volunteers from various charities, club and schools sold food and drinks to raise money.

Some of the organisations included Friends of Hospice, the Berkeley Institute and the Reading Clinic.

The Phenomenal People charity, which is running a stand for a third time, sold deep-fried Oreos and snow cones.

Margaret Giloth, the organisation’s founder and president, said: “It feels awesome to be back. We were hopeful [that it would come back] a year ago, but it did not work out.

“It is good to see all the families together.”

Nelia and Bruce Pimentel’s favourite food at the event is always malasadas, courtesy of Casa dos Acores.

“It feels fantastic to be back and it is great to get back to the norms,” Ms Pimentel said. “It is nice to be together all over again and especially to see the exhibits by the children, who showcase their talents.”

The 80th Agricultural Exhibition will continue tomorrow and Saturday, from 8am until 6pm.

For more photos from today’s event, click here.