many sights and sound at the 63rd Agricultural Show.

And even though it looked like it was going to rain at any moment, a few braved the weather to take in the annual event.

Although there were not as many people out for the first day of the show -- 1,723 compared to 3,485 who flocked to the Botanical Gardens last year -- organisers were hopeful that things would pick up before the final ceremony tomorrow.

And chickens, rabbits, pigs, vegetables and flowers of all shapes, sizes and descriptions still drew admirers.

At the entertainment ring adults and children alike were amazed at the amazing flexibility and balancing act of the Mapapa Acrobats from Kenya.

They performed a combination of traditional Chinese acrobatics with high pace African styles.

School choirs flocked to the entertainment to sing their hearts out between performances by the stars of the Penguin Arctic Blast Dive Show, who thrilled the crowd with their death defying diving displays.

People perused the many varieties of plants and flowers that had previously been judged.

The smells from the orchids, lilies, and roses drifted outside the stalls to entice you in to see their beauty.

There were row upon row of vegetable men, critters and faces all made by Island students.

While looking at the Bonsai plants, one woman mentioned that she had this same plant growing in her back yard and had never thought to turn it into a Bonsai.

The sounds of the disturbed ducks and clucking hens called you in to see them strut their stuff in their little cages while the bunnies stretched out in their wood chips trying to stay cool.

One lady laughed as she saw a warning sign that these animals bite as one father tried to coax his son into petting one of the rabbits.

Horses and riders made graceful pairs as they obeyed the command of the announcer telling them to trot, canter or walk as they were judged during the equestrian competition.

Despite the dampness of the ground there was a smattering of people sprawled out on the hill to get a better view of the ring.