CHALE Show kicks off today (Saturday) with thousands expected to descend on the village recreation ground for a weekend of top entertainment.

Writing in this week's Isle of Wight County Press, show manager Andrew Woodford gives a flavour of what visitors can expect from the 2018 show.

"We had such a wonderful time at Chale Show last year, we thought we would come back and do it all again.

This popular annual event will be held on Chale Recreation Ground, off the Military Road, today and Sunday. The show generally attracts more than 10,000 visitors over the weekend and it is incredibly popular with Islanders and holidaymakers alike.

It is wonderful that Chale Show still hosts the largest horticultural competition on the Island — and indeed one of the biggest on the south coast, with more than 1,600 exhibits.

It remains the focal point of the show and is so wonderfully supported by so many — long may it continue.

Our very successful 2017 show meant we were able to donate more than £10,000 to charities across the Isle of Wight and support various schools and colleges in horticulture.

I am delighted to welcome a two new acts for us in the arena this year — the Imps Motorcycle Display Team, who have performed all over the world and Savage Skills BMX display team — you won’t want to miss it.

Chale Show has enjoyed a close relationship with Mountbatten hospice so we are delighted to once again host the Sunflower Music Stage. Last year the hospice was able to raise more than £1,200 here, so please dig deep in your pockets.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who make this show possible — especially as last weekend the high winds damaged all our tents and we basically had to start again. I wish to personally thank Paul and his team at Coast and Country.

Finally, I hope all visitors to the show enjoy everything on offer, from the stalls to the stunts, the refreshments to the music. Have a wonderful fun-filled weekend."