Come together to celebrate country living
GATES to the Maniototo A&P Show will soon swing open for the annual celebration of all things country.
The popular event will return to the showgrounds in Ranfurly on February 17, marking the show’s 122nd year.
Show secretary Janine Smith said the event would feature all the favourites, including machinery and vehicle displays, craft and food stalls and activities for the children, among much more.
Ms Smith credited the many volunteers who were, once again, helping make the show another great success.
‘‘We are very, very lucky,’’ she said.
‘‘These shows rely on a huge number of volunteers and that’s what really makes it possible.’’
While some of those volunteers were usually out irrigating the grounds in preparation for the show, heavy rain last month had saved them that job.
However, there had still been plenty to do. Working bees had been in full force over recent weeks, and preparations were now well on track to ensure the show was a fun day for all ages.
Ms Smith encouraged people to get to the show, to support local and celebrate just how far the nation had come in the past year. New to the show this year would be the need to sign in. To help remind the public, eight QR codes would be located around the showgrounds for people to scan. The show attracted people from far and wide, including Invercargill, Fairlie, Wanaka, Queenstown and Dunedin, so scanning was important, Ms Smith said. Once they were in the gates, the public would be spoilt for choice.
‘‘Last year we really increased the number of trade stands and that number’s gone up again this year.’’ She estimated there would be about 70 by the time the gates opened — everything from agricultural support, car sales, food, drink, fertiliser companies, equestrian companies and children’s entertainment, to name a few.
This year would also have a strong emphasis on stalls for people who loved gardening, fashion and home decor.
For all of that and much more, make sure you head along to the Maniototo A&P Show on Wednesday, February 17.
Gates open at 10am and the show will wrap up at 4pm.