Lambeth Country Show | |
Frequency: | Annual |
Location: | Lambeth, England |
Years Active: | 1974- |
Founders: | Lambeth Council |
Last: | – |
Attendance: | 120,000 |
Website: | https://www.lambethcountryshow.co.uk/ |
The Lambeth Country Show is a free festival that takes place annually in Brockwell Park in Lambeth, South London.[1]
The show was first founded as the annual Brockwell Park Flower Show in 1967. This was organised by the Lambeth Horticultural Society (LHS) and the Lambeth Arts & Recreation Association (LARA). Lambeth Council took over the management of the event in 1974 and developed it into what is todays show.[2]
The festival hosts animal and livestock displays (courtesy of Vauxhall City Farm), agricultural demonstrations (in the past this has included steam traction engines), craft displays (including a popular vegetable sculpture competition), live music performances (with Sunday designated for roots reggae), local community and charity groups, food and stalls, a funfair, and an educational entertainment program for children.[3] Acts and artists to have played the main stage at the show have included Mad Professor, Saxon Sound, Alabama 3, Soul II Soul, Horace Andy, Twinkle Brothers, Luciano, Loose Ends, Aswad, Max Romeo, Alison Limerick, Incognito, and Johnny Clarke.[4]
The 2012 show was originally cancelled, and then postponed to September, to avoid clashing with the London Olympics.[5]
In 2018, the council courted controversy by announcing that the previously open festival would be enclosed by a perimeter fence along with full bag searches and increased security.[6]
The show celebrated its 50th anniversary in June 2024.[7]