Ticket prices drop for A&P show
It’s not often these days prices go down, but this year’s tickets into the Royal A&P Show have tumbled thanks to a new partnership with the Hastings District Council.
The annual show is a true community day out for the region’s families, set in the leafy environs of Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay Tomoana.
To make it even more accessible, Hastings District Council has partnered with the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society to enable the cheaper entry prices.
Running from today, Wednesday, October 17 to 19, family day passes for two adults and four children have dropped from $45 to $30, adult passes have decreased from $16 to $12 and children aged between 5 and 13 years can get in for $8. Ticket prices for senior citizens and students with ID are $10.
Hastings ambassador Henare O’Keefe welcomed the price changes saying the Royal A&P Show is about community and families.
“I’m so pleased this has been recognised by the reduced ticket prices, as over the years many families have been deprived of the enjoyment of an A&P Show because of cost.”
Hawke’s Bay A&P Society general manager Sally Jackson says the society was incredibly proud of the show and its importance to the community.
“This event is iconic for the Hawke’s Bay region, driven by a dedicated team of volunteers and sponsors. It has been wonderful to work with the Hastings District Council to allow the reduction in prices to occur.”
This year’s show will be honouring its rural traditions and the legacy of the agriculture and pastoral legends who created the event more than 155 years ago.
The focus will be placed back on the animals, the competitions, the prestige associated with winning the top prizes, and displaying the best-of-the-best livestock to the thousands who attend each day of the event.
There will be hundreds of horses, ponies, sheep, cattle, alpaca, dogs, pigs, poultry and more — including a large group of Clydesdales travelling from the South Island for the event.
Alongside all the other activities the famous Mahons carnival rides are back and other key attractions will be the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Nature’s Shed and the New Zealand Edible Garden area.
Other crowd-pleasers are appearances by “The Bug Man” Ruud Kleinpaste, chef Ray McVinnie, and local food hero Henry Heke.
■ For more information go to the Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay Tomoana website: www.showgroundshb.co.nz