Suffolk Show Countdown: Mascots set to take the heat at Suffolk Show

Fiercely competitive and weighed down by silly costumes, the heat was on when tradestand mascots went head-to-head for the first time at last year’s Suffolk Show.

And this year, it’s about to get tougher, as the mastermind behind the project, farmer Peter Over, throws the competition open to companies throughout the county - even if they don’t have a stand.

Suffolk Agricultural Association trustee Peter, who last year compered the uproarious inaugural obstacle race, which included the BBC’s Pudsey Bear, said it was being brought back by popular demand.

The idea came to him after he noticed that a lot of sponsors and businesses at the event had their own mascots.

The event, which took place on the first evening of the show, attracted a massive crowd and proved hugely popular, he said. This year, he hopes to build some active crowd partipation into the event, possibly involving the throwing of wet sponges.

“It got really well received. It’s amazing. People just like something simple and it just makes them laugh. It’s half an hour and it’s full of fun and laughter, basically,” he said.

“It’s going to carry on. It’s just an opportunity for businesses even if you are not at the show to enter your mascot.”

He added: “There’s no raising money, it’s just a bit of fun at the end of the day.”

Last year’s winner was a cow called Moo entered by Suffolk Young Farmers. Entries are already coming in for this year’s race.

“It’s quite competitive. The thing about mascots is some are a little bit more mobile than otehrs so perhaps this year we’ll have some way of evening it up so everyone gets a fair crack of the whip.”

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