Change appeared to be in the air at the first day of the Annual Exhibition yesterday - with a break from opening day tradition and seemingly subdued celebrations.

Eyebrows were raised with the no-show of the Governor for the opening at the Botanical Gardens and no overseas performers to enliven the atmosphere.

“Perhaps it's because they changed the name (to ‘The Annual Exhibition'),” laughed one woman at the event. However the major changes within the Ministry of the Environment - the dissolution of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - could be a factor in the subdued atmosphere yesterday.

Parks Department director Candy Foggo admitted her department had been given the responsibility for running Exhibition “late”.

She added: “In terms of trying to make drastic changes or getting overseas acts, the timing was a bit short.”

However she said the chance to showcase local talent was more within the event's goals (which are also reflected in the change from the name of Agricultural Exhibition to Annual Exhibition). “We are trying to expand in terms of Bermuda heritage and culture,” said Ms Foggo. “We have a lot of good talent locally.

“The show is wonderful so far, the staff is working hard behind the scenes, the weather was beautiful.”

And even if there were less cows, pigs, rabbits and chickens, that did not seem to matter to the many pre-school and primary school groups touring the grounds on in the afternoon who remained fascinated with the animals that were there.

“Yes, the schools seemed to be enjoying themselves,” Ms Foggo agreed. Most of the old traditions remained: the cake decorating (including one cake decorated as a plate of spaghetti with meatballs), kite-making, cookie-baking, lunch-boxes, horse-jumping, cow-milking demonstrations, vegetable critters, cut flowers, and cotton candy galore.

The changes Parks were able to instil - such as the addition of the Folklife Festival - seemed positive, with the Folklife Festival broadening the physical location of the Show and preventing pedestrian bottlenecks that have been seen in previous years.

Most people who spoke with The Royal Gazette seemed disappointed with one change in particular, however.

Every year it is the Governor of Bermuda who arrives at the exhibition grounds via horse and carriage to officially open the Agricultural Exhibition.

However: “This year we were informed by the Cabinet Office that the Premier would be opening the event,” said Ms Foggo. The Governor was not seen at the official opening, which the Premier arrived at not by horse and carriage but in a car.”