THE sky's the limit - unless you are the Duke of Devonshire.
For when he throws open the ornate gates to Chatsworth Country Fair there's nothing to say those taking part have to keep their feet on the ground.
While hooves and paws thrilled and wowed around the grounds against the backdrop of one of the country's most cherished country estates one of the most daring attractions arrived by air.
The well drilled accuracy of the Tigers Free Fall Parachute Display Team, booked to open the event across the three-day weekend, was matched only by the poise and discipline of the Regimental Band Of The Royal Welsh, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the Massed Pipe Bands.
Of course, what comes down must go up so those passing out of these manicured 1,000 acres were treated to one of the largest hot air balloon lifts in the country.
But this annual gathering is much more than aeronautical know-how, even if the dips and climbs of Stephen Carver and Gary Ferriman's aerobatics did much to take minds off the rain as it finally fell yesterday.
For instance, how many other places can you buy a stick of strawberries dipped in a chocolate fondue a few feet away from a very vocal German man selling salami.
Or watch a dozen dogs chasing a pretend critter - that will be showground favourite Cyril the squirrel - around the arena.
Beyond the deluxe steam mop stall, the woman weaving with dog hair, the fine food village with its red devil relish and other exotic offerings, and up to 300 trade and rural craft stands, the guns of Sheffield Muzzle Loaders & Gun Club were luring potential new members.
"This is how I started," revealed member Kip Sheriff. "Some people come up and have a go and ask some questions, younger ones, women, all people. And many go away hooked."
The club has been heading to the Country Fair for around 25 years giving newcomers a taste of what goes on at their twice a month meetings at Owler Bar. "They might hit the clay and hopefully it will give them the black powder bug," added Kip.
From double-barrel shotguns to double barrel names and across the way the elegance, etiquette and relative calm of horse driving brought polite applause as the nearby archers did their best to shut out the screams from the fun fair.
Wet weather on Sunday forced the parachute drop and balloon lifts to cancel but organiser Christopher Lloyd Owen deemed the first two days of the event, opened by show president TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh, as "pure vintage".
"We have had around 80,000 people through over the weekend," he said, enjoying a glass of wine after the crowds had finally left.
"The Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry went out in the rain. Now they are drying their kit in the house boiler rooms."
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