WATCH: Cappamore show pull a rabbit out of a hat to hold event after Storm Betty
JOE the Magician was at the Cappamore Show this Saturday but it was the event’s committee who pulled a rabbit out of a hat.
Many went without sleep to help set the show up overnight and ensure it could go ahead.
Some 30 millimetres of rain fell on the show field in Ballyvoreen but it absorbed it like a sponge. And as the saying goes - the show must go on - and it did in style!
It was a baptism of rain instead of fire for John McCarthy, chairperson of his first show.
“We are dealing with the weather and circumstances as good as we can. Yesterday evening came exceptionally wet. Fair play to the committee - it was a massive effort. Some people didn’t go to bed. We finished at 1am and we met here at 6am to see would we actually go ahead or not and we duly did.
“We didn’t want to call it off under any circumstance if at all possible. We were delighted we were able to go ahead and the day is holding up,” said John, a son of the late and great Cappamore show legend Jimmy McCarthy.
After being cooped up on Friday, thousands were thrilled to get out in the fresh air and the car-park stewards couldn’t get over how busy it was at 10.30am.
As the day improved, men, women and children came flooding in. There is a full programme of events to enjoy - from cattle to horses to children’s entertainment, live music, dancing, dog show, stalls, Green Village, the Liam MacCarthy Cup and lots, lots more.
It was wise to wear wellingtons for the odd muddy intersection, which have been lessened by straw being put down.
If there was a best dressed baby competition one and a half-year-old Culann O’Shaughnessy, Kilcornan, would have it sewn up. He was dressed in a red rain suit and mum Brid said he had shorts on underneath for when the sun comes out.
Just like the Cappamore Show committee they were ready for every eventuality.