SHEEP-RACING, dancing Zulus and racing horses were among the attractions as more than 7,000 people descended on Hylands Park over the weekend for the Hylands Country and Craft Show.
Revellers on Saturday and Sunday were rewarded for their presence with scorching weather as well as opportunities to dance with Zulu performers and race against sheep.
The latter activity saw children carry a basket of feed with the woolly critters scuttling alongside them as both endeavoured to cross the finishing line first and event organiser Paula Edmundson, 43, believed the races and the event as a whole went down a treat.
"The sheep racing was absolutely fantastic," she said. "It's great for the children to get involved with the animals and see them having fun.
"It is a show that has something for everybody no matter what you are interested in and you can see that in the faces of the people that have come down and there's so much to do and so much of it is for free as well!"
Other highlights of the event included chainsaw wood carving, an obstacle course for dogs and a falconry display, but Paula reserved special praise for the Zulu's performance and interactive workshop.
"I think the Zulus are so vibrant in their performances and so full of energy," she said.
Zulu performer, Derrick Kiteke, 25, was equally thrilled to perform in front of the watching crowds.
He said: "It was great to perform here as it is quite a big show. We always get a few people from the crowd dancing and singing with us and it was great fun to teach them a few moves."
Visitors could also browse stalls with local goods and produce ranging from smoothies and burgers to handmade jewellery and clothing.
This went down well with Nicolette Hughes, 41, from Clacton, who said: "The show promoting local produce is really important because we should move away from supermarkets and support local businesses and put money back into the local economy."
Meanwhile, the horse and scurry, an event where horses drawing miniature carriages raced one another was also well received, as was the glorious weather.
"It's been really good and I really enjoyed the horse and cart racing," said Victoria Howes, 33, from Chelmsford. "The weather's been good – we've been lucky."
With a circus, a reptile corner, face painting, a bouncy castle and miniature quad bikes, the two-day extravaganza was one of variety.
"It has been lovely," said Terry Wittley, 70, from Great Baddow.
"Especially seeing the horses and the animals. It's just nice to see them because we don't see many in the towns and cities."
