Show’s new era, tickets plan to put smiles on faces
The Hastings District Council’s purchase of the Tomoana Showgrounds has borne early fruit for the public as it welcomes back a full Hawke’s Bay A and P Show this month.
A statement from the A and P Society says a partnering with the council for the show means ticket prices are being restrained and increases proposed before the Covid19 crisis intervened in 2020 will not now take effect.
Being held on October 19-21, it is one of the oldest and most prominent A and P shows in New Zealand, with a history dating back to 1863.
It survived the pandemic in limited forms, without having to be cancelled, unlike many others.
It had also doubled as the New Zealand Royal Agricultural Society’s Royal Show by rotation among five shows nationwide over the years and became the fixed venue in 2015, under a deal which would have seen that continue at least until 2021.
But, amid concerns for the future viability of the show and developer interest in the 42ha of the showgrounds in Hastings, the society in June agreed to a sale to the district council which proposes to protect it as Reserve land.
NewAand P society general manager Elisha Milmine promises the 2022 show will be a return to a three-day event with “fun for all the family”.
As many as 30,000 are expected through the gates for the traditional equestrian, shearing and other rurally-based events, livestock and farm produce competitions, trade displays, education programmes, and the fairground attractions of Mahon’s Amusements.
Tickets are available online via the Hawke’s Bay A and P Society and show website.