Show plans are all go despite outbreak
After missing out on seeing fluffy chicks and bouncing lambs last year, kids will be able to attend the country’s biggest agricultural show for free this year.
The New Zealand Agricultural Show in Christchurch was cancelled last year, for the first time since World War II, due to the uncertainty created by Covid-19.
The event’s organisers, the Canterbury A&P Association, decided earlier this year to go ahead with the 2021 event – and the latest Covid-19 outbreak has not changed its view.
Event director Geoff Bone said organisers had expected bumps in the road, but they had a positive mindset and were still busy preparing for the November show.
With about 100,000 people expected at the three-day event, from November 10-12, it would only be able to fully operate under alert level 1, he said.
If it did need to cancel, the association could access a $1 million loan the Christchurch City Council granted last month.
The association has decided for the first time to allow children aged up to 17 to attend for free. In previous years, only under-5s have been given free admission.
Bone said it was important that children had the opportunity to experience the show, see the animals and go on a Ferris wheel. Children must come with a paying adult, but each adult can bring up to five kids.
Show general manager Tracy Ahern said the past 18 months had been hard on everyone, and organisers wanted to bring the best show yet to the community.
‘‘With children and families being our focus, it’s a unique opportunity for town and country to come together.’’ A grant from the Kiwi Gaming Foundation would help to fill any revenue gap due to offering free children’s tickets.
Tickets for the show are on sale at theshow.co.nz.