The stage is set, the stalls are up and the animals are primed – yes, it's show time at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Eastern Daily Press: Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Amanda Seales puts the finishing touches to the Holt Flower Clubs archway which uses British grown flowers.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Amanda Seales puts the finishing touches to the Holt Flower Clubs archway which uses British grown flowers.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019 (Image: Archant 2019)

Months of careful planning will come to fruition over the next two days as crowds swell through the gates at the Norfolk Showground.

From best-dressed fashion spotting to best in show livestock competitions, and from farm machinery to folk music - all that Norfolk has to offer will be on display at the country's biggest two-day agricultural show.

Eastern Daily Press: Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Andrew Reader prepping the Barn Owl Jerseys herdByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Andrew Reader prepping the Barn Owl Jerseys herdByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019 (Image: Archant 2019)

This year the show will welcome a royal visitor, the Countess of Wessex, who is the current Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) president.

It is an exciting moment for Royal Norfolk Show director James Hill, who has spent the past four months poring over plans and finalising the details.

Eastern Daily Press: Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Tim Lawrence preps his landing tractor on the NORMAC standByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Tim Lawrence preps his landing tractor on the NORMAC standByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019 (Image: Archant 2019)

It will not only be his first time directing the show - but his first time attending it.

He said: "The show is an enormous event with 80,000 people and 700 traders expected. There is a huge amount of moving parts. Coming to it as my first show, the first thing is to understand what makes up the show and how it all works.

Eastern Daily Press: Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Kim Arden takes delivery of her pigs from her Goose Tree herd.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Kim Arden takes delivery of her pigs from her Goose Tree herd.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019 (Image: Archant 2019)

"We have got a fantastic show - all the things that people would expect, the favourites and a lot more."

Advance ticket sales are thought to be up on the past few years, and with good weather forecast the show could be in for a bumper crowd.

Eastern Daily Press: Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019 Mark Richmond takes a break on his stall, Nelson and Norfolk tea and coffee merchants. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2019Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019 Mark Richmond takes a break on his stall, Nelson and Norfolk tea and coffee merchants. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2019 (Image: Archant 2019)

The first morning is set to be cloudy but sunny spells are forecast to develop with temperatures of around 21C.

This year's event has welcomed a record number of livestock entries and will also be hosting the 2019 British Simmental Cattle Society National Show. Highlights in the Grand Ring include the Household Cavalry musical ride, the Band of the Parachute Regiment and, for the first time, a parade of Rolls Royce cars.

Eastern Daily Press: Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Andrew Reader prepping the Barn Owl Jerseys herdByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Andrew Reader prepping the Barn Owl Jerseys herdByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019 (Image: Archant 2019)

After a well received extension of the show's opening hours in 2018, the party will be continuing into the evening again this year. The whole show, including Grand Ring entertainment, will be open until 8pm, followed by a programme of live music in the Woodland Arena until 10.30pm.

Visitors are being encouraged to take a break and have a cup of tea on the EDP at its stand in Third Drive, by collecting and presenting the tokens which will be available in the newspaper until Thursday.

Eastern Daily Press: Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Howard Zelley from Zelley Jewellers in Norwich who have looked after the trophies for over 30 years.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019Setting up at the Royal Norfolk Show 2019Howard Zelley from Zelley Jewellers in Norwich who have looked after the trophies for over 30 years.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2019 (Image: Archant 2019)

- There will be a 16-page Royal Norfolk Show supplement in the EDP on Thursday and a 12-page supplement on Friday, plus live coverage at edp24.co.uk