C o mmunity Reunited
as Whangarei A&P Show makes comeback k
Townies and country folk, along with cattle and all manner of livestock will be reunited next month - after an isolation-induced hiatus in both the animal and human worlds - as Whangarei A&P Show makes a comeback.
Organisers are delighted to bring the community together once again to share and celebrate rural excellence after Covid uncertainty cancelled last year’s show. Likewise, cattle will be welcomed back after a four-year absence due to the infectious Mycoplasma Bovis.
Whangarei A&P Show Society CEO Chris Mason says bringing communities together is one of the most important aspects of the show. “The show has a unique ability to bring many different communities together while celebrating and sharing g rural excellence and knowledge. Plus, we’re really excited to o
This Th year offers many new attractions att and features, including inc a new petting tent with wit loads of furry animals to cuddle and hold. Creative Northland No and Northland Office Products Pro Depot have teamed up to offer an inter-schools Hobby Ho Horse competition, and Bunnings Bu are holding a ‘Battle of tthe Brigades’ challenge. (CoContinued on page 2....) have the competition cattle and calf cal club back.”
Making a comeback is the ever-popular Fresha Valley Suzie Moo Show where participants can learn to milk a cow by hand. Suzie will also clear up the myth whether chocolate milk comes from brown cows and teach how to make cream and butter. Suzie will be celebrating her 10th birthday too so there’s much fun and games to be had.
Among the favourites is the G.J. Gardner Homes Sawdust Big Dig and the everpopular Highland dancing. Plus, classic and vintage cars, loads of equestrian competitions, including mounted games and miniature horses, and sheep racing!
Show-goers can visit the Sheep Exhibition with the largest number of sheep breeds ever seen in the north. Among them will be a brand-new breed called Aussie White - the Kardashians of the sheep world, Beltex will be there, so will the cutest sheep ever - Baby Doll, plus the cute and curly black and white Valais Blacknose.
With dairy and beef cattle competitions and calf club back this year, the best, biggest and most beautiful all have a turn in front of the judge to see who will win prize money and special ribbons.
There will be a huge display of tractors – young and old – and an old-fashioned stationary hay-baler so spectators can see how hay was once made by hand. As for those hot and loud sports - shearing, wood chopping, logger sports and even Tree Cycle’s portable sawmill, will be at the show. For those who enjoy a quiet browse, the home industries section won’t disappoint; makers, bakers and creators have entered their finest baking, jams and knitting, paintings and photos. With Christmas just around the corner, there will be plenty of inspiration for presents from the trade sites too – whether its clothing, garden and home wares, food, giftware and treats. There is also the chance to get a photo with Santa in his special grotto.
Grab some food from the many vendors and a great coffee from one of the baristas and head to the middle level amphitheatre (in front of the Events Centre) where you can be entertained by crazy Japanese drummers. Wai Taiko, a Japanese Drumming group, is a vibrant and dynamic performance group whose repertoire contains a wide range of songs encompassing the fundamental elements of Taiko - power, rhythm and movement. Taiko is a feast for the ears and eyes as it blends intricate rhythms and choreography to give a truly incredible – and loud - performance.
Or – and this is not for the faint-hearted – be thrilled and excited by the Jake Whitaker Stunt Show with a spectacular display on both his Moto Trials bike and Enduro dirt bike. Watch him perform heart-stopping gap jumps, wheelies and stoppies. See how he man-handles the bikes to manoeuver them over and around obstacles… and even jump over the commentator on his bike.
There is also a fantastic line-up of singers and acts on the Performance Stage – from solo singers to bands - and a highlight will be the performance of Whangarei’s Morris Dancers!
And although it’s about agriculture, Whangarei A&P Show wouldn’t be the same without the carnival atmosphere and, as usual, there will be inflatables, merry-go-round rides, a mechanical bull, bumper balls, an inflatable rugby ball lineout throw and definitely candyfloss!
This year, single-use plastics is being discouraged - showgoers can bring their own reusable water bottles and refill at a dedicated Water Flow NZ water refill station.