Schools, home bakers, pet owners and farmers all gathered at the Killyhevlin Hotel last Wednesday night for the Fermanagh County Show prizegiving.
The Chairman of Fermanagh Farming Society, Mrs. Ruth Armstrong, welcomed guests and a special mention was made of the late Earl of Erne and the Duke of Westminster who both died in the past year. Their families have been closely associated with Fermanagh Farming Society over many years.
A birthday cake made by Mrs. Viola Hamilton to mark the Show’s 180 years was cut by the Chairman and Mrs. Kathleen Murphy, who presented the awards. 
The Committee of Management have presented a cup in memory of Kathleen’s husband, Michael who gave a lifetime of service to the society and this was presented in the dairy section. Kathleen was joined by son, James, his wife, Elvira and family.
A Life Membership Award was presented to Derek Quinton in recognition of his services to the Society for well over 40 years. Edward Rogers spoke of Derek and his capacity to organise events and how he took the showing fraternity into the age of technology by developing a bespoke computer programme for shows in Ireland. Derek has served on NISA and ISA and was the Northern Region chairman for eight years organising the conference and overseeing events. 
ISA vice-chairman Bill Leeman who attended made a presentation to Derek for his outstanding service to ISA over a long time. Mrs Ruth Montgomery ISA secretary for the Northern Region also attended. The Show Manager, Ann Orr said that Derek took a special interest in young people who worked seasonally at the show office.
Mr. and Mrs. George Elliott, Letterbreen attended the Show prizegiving to present the George Elliott Cup which has been presented this year in the Vintage Section for the best turned out Vintage Tractor, awarded to Mr. Brian McHugh.
Ann reviewed the past year which included a line-up of 43 female judges from across the United Kingdom and Sweden.
There were 3450 entries in the schools section and 850 entries in the home industries, pets and poultry sections. The dog show had 130 entries and one of the exhibitors, Wilma Dunn, has qualified for Crufts Dog Show.
Many of the cups and trophies date from the earlier 1900s.
The Show will be launching the Fermanagh Show Queen Competition in January with the Show Queen being crowned at the launch of the Show in the Ardhowen Theatre on Wednesday, June 14 2017.
Ann Orr added: “We are also looking at developing a more long term Food Programme to showcase specific aspects of food annually. 
This will be themed and will look at heritage and culture around food in the Lakeland county associated with a crafts development programme.
The 2017 Show takes place on August 1 and 2.