Okehampton and District Agricultural Association was founded following a public meeting held in the Market Hall, Okehampton on Thursday, November 27, 1890 and chaired by the Mayor of Okehampton, I D Prickman.

The first annual exhibition was held on Thursday, September 24, 1891 in a field in Okehampton lent by the president WH Holley.

The weather was fine and more than 4,000 people entered the grounds – the sum of £102 12s. 1d. (£102.61p) was taken on the gate!

Shows were not held during the two World War years (1914-18 and 1940-45) and there was also a gap between 1966 and 1969. The only cancellation in recent times had been in 2001 during the catastrophic Foot and Mouth outbreak, but in 2007 and 2008 the appalling weather forced last minute cancellations of the show.

In 2009, however, the sun came out to play and a record crowd turned up at the showground in numbers never seen before to support the return of the show.

Past shows were held on what is now the home of Okehampton Rugby Club in the centre of the town, but the show outgrew that site and moved to its current location of Stoneypark which is on the western edge of Okehampton.

The first show held at the new site took place on Thursday, August 12, 1982, with Mr R J Martin holding the office of president.

The 2013 president is Michael Crocker from Lydford and the president elect is William Cornish.