The show goes on (even when it rains)
After nearly 75 years the summer horticultural show continues to go on, even on a rainy day.
The Hawera Horticultural Society’s Summer Show draws spectators from all over, until the sun stops shining.
Show Secretary Lyn Stanford said the number of spectators for last year’s show was ’’right down’’ due to the weather.
‘‘A hell of a lot of work goes into it, and when you only get a few come in, it’s a bit disheartening,’’ she said.
‘‘Last summer we had 529 entries for everything’’.
The annual show falls on Saturday, February 4 this year and is open to the public from 12.30pm until 5pm.
It’s traditionally called a flower show but entries of all sorts are taken in - including fruit, vegetables, cacti and pot plants.
Spectators are in for a broad treat, with both serious growers and random entries each year.
The summer show draws entries from various places, even one man from Fielding.
Stanford said this competitor, who is also a judge, brings up bits and pieces is very committed to entering the show.
‘‘He’s going to bring his stuff on the Friday night, stage it on Friday night, go back home to Fielding and he has to be at Upper Hut for judging at 10:30,’’ she said.
Stanford said she now entered the competition, but admitted it took a lot of confidence to do so.
‘‘To begin with I didn’t exhibit I thought ‘oh no I can’t do that’. You know, picking my flowers and having somebody pick at them and say that’s got a little hole there,’’ she said.
But now she sees the fun in the competition and said although the judging process was very serious, the competition was just as good.
‘‘The camaraderie between all the exhibitors is great. People from New Plymouth come every year and it’s like meeting old friends,’’ the show secretary said.
The Horticultural holds two shows every year.
Stanford said the planning for each show started nice and early to give the competitors a chance to organise what they’re going to exhibit.
‘‘It gives people time to look down and see what flowers they have to look after, and which vegetables they have to talk to,’’ she said.
The show will be held at Hawera High School this year, rain or shine.