Shrewsbury Flower Show, Cosford Air Show, Burwarton Show and more: Lots of family fun heading to Shropshire in 2020

Hopefully all our readers will be happy in the knowledge that there’ll be plenty to look forward to. And, although Shropshire’s calendar will be packed with plans for 2020, there are some four really big sparkling gems in the mix that you’ll not want to miss out on!

Cosford Air Show

June 14, RAF Cosford Museum, Cosford

The aircraft on display are the unquestioned stars of the show, but there’s a lot more to the RAF Cosford Air Show than that! Whether you’re looking to inspire and entertain the whole family or you’re an avid aviation enthusiast, you’ve got a non-stop day of excitement ahead of you.

This year, the RAF Cosford Air Show will commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and host “Fighter Meet 2020”. The exciting theme of Fighter Meet 2020 will demonstrate the evolution of air defence aircraft over the last century. This will include commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain – bringing to life the legendary story with emotive flying displays and interactive ground exhibitions – as well as looking to the future, showcasing the very best of today’s Air Supremacy.

The VE Day theme will focus on displaying historic aircraft from World War II, both in the air and across the iconic Vintage Village on the showground, combining re-enactment groups with a VE Day street party, a Vintage Fayre, classic vehicles and period entertainment.

The RAF Cosford Air show will include an action-packed six-hour flying display, featuring powerful demonstrations of modern military aircraft from the Royal Air Force and international military partners. There will be captivating appearances from iconic vintage aircraft from throughout the history of aviation and adrenaline-pumping aerobatic displays. Ground-based pyrotechnics will also add to the excitement of some of the flying displays! On the ground, there will be a huge assortment on static display for you to view up close, including some which you will be able to sit inside.

Throughout the airfield, there will be a huge assortment of fascinating things to see and do at the RAF Cosford Air Show.

Shrewsbury Food Festival

June 27 to 28, The Quarry, Shrewsbury

The Shrewsbury Food Festival was born from a passion for great food, fantastic producers and a love for our stunning landscape.

Last year the organisers brought you the best of Shropshire, with a jam-packed programme of entertainment and a musical line-up thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

The event then became the winner of the best food festival in the midlands 2019.

A spokesman for the organisers said: “Hello to 2020! We have more demo stages, more music, more kids activities and loads more food and drink than ever before! We have 200 food, drink and craft exhibitors as well as cookery demonstrations, a chef school, our new FREE From area, free kids entertainment and so much more!”

The event is back for its eighth year also with artisan craft stalls, two live music stages, cookery demos, hands-on cookery classes, kids cookery, tons for the kids to enjoy, animals, master classes and lots more!

The festival takes place in Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park with 29 acres of parkland to enjoy. But don’t drive to venue, there’s no parking. Information on

buses, trains, park & rides, and long stay car parks will be available from the website www.shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk

Online prices currently on the website include an adult ticket from £10, children aged two to 16, £5 and a family ticket of £30, for two adults and up to three kids.

Burwarton Show

August 6, The Burwarton Showground

Last year the Burwarton Show took place on a dry and sunny day and was very successful and enjoyed by all who attended at The Burwarton Show Ground. So lets hope it stays dry for 2020!

The livestock section was heaving with exhibitors and spectators throughout the day all enjoying the top quality animals competing in their respective classes.

A special attraction last year was the display of Valais Blacknose sheep. The sow and piglets display was also a source of delight for many, whilst the fast and furious shearing competition proved as popular as ever.

The horse field was very busy throughout the day with competitions for a wide range of breeds and disciplines. The Pony Club Games also proved very popular with the younger competitors and hopefully will return in 2020.

The main showground was full of trade stands providing an opportunity to buy almost anything you needed from the latest agricultural machinery through to wood burners, plants, shoes and much more.

The Conservation area had grown in popularity and was well supported as were the Shopping Arcade, Craft Market & Demonstration marquee and the Food Court.

The Home and Horticulture sections were again full to bursting with many interesting and attractive displays. Entertainment included the fast and furious Atkinson Action Horses with their breath-taking displays, Ye Olde Redtail Falconry Display which never fails to attract the youngsters into the main ring and, of course, the Aldabra Giant Tortoises which once again proved very popular all day. Other attractions around the showground included Village Green entertainment, the Panic Circus in the Children’s play area, Stone carving, Shropshire Yeomanry display, and Pentabus Rural Theatre.

Shrewsbury Flower Show

August 14 to 15, The Quarry, Shrewsbury

The show is one of the country’s premier flower show events, attracting top exhibitors from all over the country.

It has a small permanent staff and over 100 volunteers who manage and organise the whole event, from traffic flow, marquee and services contracts, publicity and marketing, public safety, catering and entertainment, and engaging specialist judges for hundreds of competitive classes etc. and ensuring that its visitors have an extraordinary experience with value for money.Planning is under way for the 2020 Shrewsbury Flower Show, the first of which began just days after the curtain came down on last year’s event.

Chairman of the marketing sub-committee, Amanda Jones, said: “Planning now starts for 2020 which promises to be another fantastic show with plenty of flowers, big names on the main stage, fireworks and lasers, as well as lots of entertainment for children and adults alike.”

Shrewsbury’s Mayor, Councillor Phil Gillam, praised the town’s Flower Show as an extraordinary event that it vital to the town’s economy. “Flowers remain at the very heart of the show but it is so much more beside,” he said.