1883 – 2008

Bloem Show celebrated its 125th anniversary during the annual show that was hosted from 24 April till 3 May.  It is with great gratitude that we look back to 125years of growth and development, since its establishment on 25 May 1883.

This year’s show was blessed with great sunshine weather and four public holidays (27, 28 April & 1,2 May).  Although several visitors made use of these days to take a long weekend, we are grateful for good attendance.  Exhibitors were satisfied with their sales and many of them bettered their sales of 2007.  With reference to the current economic situation in the country which includes increasing petrol prices and interest rates, we are very grateful for the positive feedback.

The largest open-air Saddle horse championship in the world was hosted during the first week of the Bloem show.  This SA National Saddle Horse Championship was a huge success with approximately 1000 horses participating and included several Americans in their team of judges.  The Friesian horses also moved their National championships to Bloemfontein and hosted a successful show.  Other championships in the horse section included the National championships by the Welsh Ponies and Miniature horses and Interprovincial tentpegging.
The Small Stock section kicked off with the National Sheep shearing, National Merino Landsheep and Merino Open field show.  This was followed by the SA Boer goat World Show, with more than 1000 goats from all over the country, Namibia and Botswana.
The Cattle section started of with championships by the Diary cattle breeds of the Holsteins, Ayrshires and Jerseys.  The meat and dual purpose breeds followed in the second week with championships by the Dexters, Brahman, Hereford and Limousin breeds and National Championships by the Sussex and Angus breeds.

Compliments literally streamed in for the layout changes in the exhibition halls and the carpeting and exclusive walling of exhibitions.  We have already received hundreds of re-bookings for 2009, a sign of good business during the show and trust in the Bloem Show as marketing venue.  The outdoor exhibitions added value to the show and included exhibits of cars, motorbikes, Jet Ski’s and earthmoving equipment.

The entrance fee included a special half price birthday special on Tuesday, 29 April 2009 which included a great performance by the popular, Nicholis Louw.

To refer to one successful artist performing at this year’s show, is difficult.  Attendance at all their show was excellent!  Artists that participated included Theuns Jordaan, Nicholis Louw, Kurt Darren, Juanita du Plessis, Nadine, Arno Jordaan, Chris Chameleon and ended on a Jazz note by Bhudaza and Peter Ntwane.

The family day on Sunday, 27 April 2008 was a huge success, with the most popular performances those of Big Foot, the motorbike stunts and on their first visit to SA, all the way from the United States, the Human Cannonball.

The show ended on the last two days, with icy rain weather which definitely influenced the attendance figures.  This resulted that about 10% less people attended the show over the 10 day period, than in 2007.  Thank you to all our visitors, exhibitors, breeders and sponsors for their support.  To our Lord, all the honour for another successful show!