back to the 56-year-old show's farming roots.

And in an attempt to appeal to a broader cross-section of the community, instead of bringing in one main show from overseas, organisers have decided to feature several different acts.

The line-up includes cattle milking, gardening and wood chopping demonstrations, log-rolling competitions and a ventriloquist.

Agriculture, Parks and Fisheries director Mr. John Barnes said many residents were not aware of what the Island produced locally.

"There are some school students who honestly believe that milk comes from the supermarket,'' Mr. Barnes said. "But Bermuda milk is one of the Island's few primary products. We felt it was important to educate and remind people about the Island's agricultural heritage.'' The star attractions at the three-day show -- which kicks off on Thursday at the Botanical Gardens with the best Bermuda-bred horse competition -- are three American media personalities.

And for the first time in years, cattle-milking demonstrations will take place, Mr. Barnes said.

"Square-foot'' gardener Mr. Mel Bartholemew, famous for showing cable television viewers how to grow four-by-four-foot vegetable and flower gardens that yield non-stop harvests, will be giving daily lectures and demonstrations in the tent near Camden House.

Mr. Bartholemew published the book Square Foot Gardening in 1981 and has since sold more than a million copies.

And an audience of more than 50 million have been motivated by his syndicated PBS television series to try the gardening concept.

Mr. Bartholemew's latest book, Cash From Square Foot Gardening, shows how to make money from working part-time in your backyard.

Ventriloquist Mr. Bob Trent, who has hosted numerous US state and county fairs, is set to perform with his puppet Walter Ego.

Mr. Barnes said the whole family would enjoy the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, which features 34 world champion lumberjacks taking part in chainsaw racing, spring-board chopping, log splitting, chopping demonstrations and log-rolling competitions.

A large wading pool is being put in at the Botanical Gardens especially for the log-rolling event, which apart from lumberjacks, features a Labrador dog who can perform the difficult feat.

The lumberjack show has aired on ESPN, ABC Sports, Real People, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, Late Night With David Letterman, and many other television shows.

Special guests at the cattle milking show are Mr. Amos Fisher and Mr. Herb Baughman, who grew up on farms in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Fisher and his partner Mr. Rick Thompson own one of the largest dairy equipment dealers in the eastern United States.

Mr. Fisher and Mr. Amos will be showing off their milking techniques and some modern milking equipment.

Mr. Barnes said the show was aimed at "paying tribute to the Island's many dairy farmers''.

Exhibits this year are expected to surpass last year's, but will not beat the record set in 1991 of 2,343 exhibits.

The most popular exhibit classes are Amateur Food and Vegetable Critters, Mr.

Barnes noted.

He added he expected a high standard of flower and vegetable exhibits this year because of the favourable weather.