The Agricultural and Industrial Show held annually on August 14-15 at the Rundle Gardens in Victoria-Gozo. Locally, is also known as.”Il-Wirja ta' Santa' Marija”. This is a very ancient agriculture and industrial event.The present show was founded in 1885. 

The show’s roots, however, run deeper than that. In his diary for 1738, the historian G.P. Agius de Soldanis records: “On this day – August 15 a fair is held in Gozo with all fruit one could wish for, toys and other small fancy articles and trinkets”. The same diary hints that the agricultural exposition was held along the wide steep street leading from Main Square It-Tokk up to the Citadel in Victoria. Exhibits must have been displayed on the side of the steps and the adjacent slopes.

The show in its present form was held for the first time in 1855, at the premises of the Government School in Vajringa Street, Victoria.

In 1943 the show was transferred to Villa Rundle Public Gardens, where it is still held. This year the Agriculture and Industrial Show, organized by a special committee, was also held in the grounds of these gardens, where fruits and other products of agriculture, birds, poultry, cattle and animals, as well as locally manufactured goods where exhibited. Hundreds of prizes were awarded for the best items in each section.

Every year, this annual event in Gozo attracts huge crowds, not only local people but also Maltese people cross by ferry to Gozo from the main land Malta among them huge crouds of foreigners to see the best produce of an island proud of it’s ancient lore and hard-working country folk.

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