More than 35,000 people are expected next Sunday in Tullamore for the Tullamore and Powers Gold Label National Livestock Show, which will be held in the beautiful Charleville Estate, one mile from the town.
Last year the show - which was revived only in the last decade and has become the foremost event of its kind in the State - passed what was considered the acid test for attendance.
It clashed with Offaly's backdoor rush to pick up the McCarthy cup and there were fears that attendances would drop dramatically.
However, it emerged that the show is no local event and the attendance increased as people arrived from the 32 counties.
This year, too, Offaly will be hurling in Croke Park. But the organisers are not worried and the final touches are being put to preparations for the big day.
This year the prize fund is over £80,000 and will embrace over 500 classes for animals. The National Livestock Show will feature pedigree, commercial and dairy cattle, and commercial sheep.
These classes have a combined prize fund of almost £52,000, and there are 32 national titles to be decided, with all the major cattle breeds represented.
There is a prize fund of £25,000 for the winners of the 70 classes for pedigree cattle and there are 43 classes in the dairy section with over £10,000 in prize money.
But this is not just a day out for the farmer. There is a huge trade show featuring large displays of cars and machinery. In all there will be 250 trade exhibitions.
Major attractions this year will be the Rural Enterprise Pavilion and the Food Hall, where the Irish Food Board will hold cookery exhibitions. There will be arts and crafts exhibitions and fashion shows.
In the best traditions of such days out, there will be a competition for the best-dressed woman, bonnie baby, glamorous granny and - a new one on me - the traditional farmer.
If you are a dog lover, there will be 15 classes for dogs and a home baking competition sponsored by Powers Gold Label with a top prize of £4,000.
Just in case you also want to watch the hurling, facilities for viewing the match will be provided on the grounds. More details can be obtained from the show office in Tullamore at 050652141.