Thousands enjoy day out at A&P Show

Wide range of stalls, activities, shows and competitions

Kairo Young, 5, enjoyed having some fun at the Stratford Park stall, trying out a hobby horse course while he was there. Emily Perrin, a member of the Stratford Park subcommittee, said the stall gave them a chance to talk to the community about the future plans for the project, including the equestrian part. “People think it will be focused on just one or two types of equestrian event, but that’s not true. We are keen to have as many equestrian activities involved as possible, including simply having a safe space to ride off the road.”

There was something for everyone at this year’s Stratford A&P Show, with a wide range of stalls, activities, shows and competitions, as well as all types of weather. Sunscreen and shade were in order on Saturday with plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed, while on Sunday the sunscreen was swapped for raincoats as the weather turned, but it didn’t stop hundreds of people coming and enjoying all the fun of the fair.

Photo / Ilona Hanne Baxter, a purebred Valais Blacknose ram, was on show at the Stratford A&P Show, and he and his fellow Valais sheep were attracting plenty of attention with their calm nature and undeniable good looks. Some local members of the New Zealand Valais Blacknose Sheep Society — Top Knot Croft, Mythen Valais NZ and Jay-J-Li Midview Valais were on hand with some of their sheep, rams and lambs at the show to answer questions about the hardy Swiss mountain breed.

Photo / Ilona Hanne Cousins Cooper Old (left) and Bella Meijer, both 3, were not letting a bit of rain on Sunday stop them enjoying the classic summertime treat of a soft serve icecream. The pair, both from New Plymouth, were at the A&P Show with their families and were dressed for the weather in smart gumboots and raincoats.

Photo / Ilona Hanne Jordy Washer, 4, was all smiles as he was transformed into a puppy thanks to the talent of Morph Face Painting, a Stratford based business that attracted a long line of tamariki keen to have their faces painted each day.

Photo / Ilona Hanne Maxwell Sweet was sliding into fun at the Stratford A&P Show on Saturday. Maxwell, 7, had come from New Plymouth for the day and was enjoying the range of rides on offer at the event.

Photo / Ilona Hanne