Mackenzie’s big day out attracts thousands
Thousands of people have turned out again for another Mackenzie A&P show.
The biggest one day A&P show in New Zealand, which was held on Monday, saw the showgrounds carpark in Fairlie chock-a-block, Mackenzie Highland show secretary Jodi Payne said.
‘‘The carpark was full so it was a huge crowd.’’
Monday’s good weather meant the show met its attendance expectations of between 12,000 and 15,000 people, she said.
Payne said it was no surprise that country music singer Jody Direen and the motocross entertainment proved popular.
The inter-club dog trials, which started at 7:30am, also proved popular, she said. There was also a New Zealand Fire Service display.
Direen, from Wanaka, won the Tui Award for Best Country Album at the 2017 New Zealand Country Music Awards with her album Shake Up. She had also opened for Kenny Rogers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, LeAnn Rimes and Scotty McCreery.
The freestyle motocross, which saw motorcyclists perform a series of tricky jumps, returned to the show after 12 years.
Payne said it was unclear how many of the many thousands in attendance were people travelling back from Warbirds Over Wanaka, and Ed Sheeran’s Dunedin concert. The show had hoped to attract people travelling back from these events.
‘‘Every event in the main ring was popular with lots of spectators watching.
‘‘The weather was perfect and we couldn’t have asked for a better day.’’
Highland dancing entries had been so popular for the show that a second judge had been called in. The show had its highest number of highland dancing entries ever with over 350 entries.
Traditional show features such as sheep shearing and a pipe band also brought people out as well as a parade of 12 restored vintage tractors, which was also new to the show.