Jam packed programme for Warkworth A&P Show

Warkworth will celebrate its country heritage on January 28 and 29, when the doors open on the 145th annual Warkworth A&P Show.

Show secretary Marjorie Blythen says that there have been many changes in the show over the years, but the basic features of a traditional A & P Show remain. The main day for the public is Saturday, January 28, when gates will open at 8.30am.

The show animals are always a huge drawcard and for many visitors, it’s a rare opportunity to get up close to champion dairy and beef cattle, alpaca and this year, dairy goats. Handlers are normally only too happy to talk about their animals and share their knowledge.

Dog trials bring competitors from all over the North Island and shearers will be competing for points and prizes. Show favourite, the Puhoi Axemen’s Club, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

There will be vintage cars and croquet demonstrations, a large number of horse rings on both days, and Greg and Mandy Clark’s ewe racing and sheep shearing displays, which include opportunities to ‘have a go’.

A new event this year is the Military Arts Teams Event.

The Mahurangi Kindergarten is back to run a mainly children’s programme of old-time entertainment throughout the day including sack, egg ‘n’ spoon and three-legged races.

The indoor section of produce, flowers, art and crafts, preserves, baking and floral art will be housed in a large marquee. These will be judged, as usual, on the Friday with the exception of a few special classes, which will be judged by guest compere Te Radar on the Saturday morning.

Hobby-type cottage industries will be selling a variety of homemade items in the marquee, which will also be the setting for hamburger and steak sandwich making competitions for teenagers and adults. A panel of judges including Te Radar will judge the competition with prizes supplied by Beef & Lamb NZ. The overall champion will win a dinner for two at one of Auckland’s top restaurants.

Show Queen, Princess, Fairy and Pirate competitions will be judged during lunch and music from two live bands will keep people entertained.

The Mahurangi Rugby Football Club will run a hospitality bar under the clubrooms where the Highly Strung Country Bluegrass Band will be performing.

Marjorie says trade displays are looking good with a number of new exhibitors joining the ranks and everything from cars to collectables will be on sale and display.

Doug the Digger – a working digger for boys, young and old – will make his debut at this year’s show and the Baylys Guide Dog Auction will be held during the afternoon.

All the usual sideshow attractions such as merry-go-rounds, mega slide, obstacle course, paintballs, tug-o-wars and the big crocodile will be there, as well as a few surprises.

Pictured: The animal events are a huge part of the A&P programme. Pictured at last year’s event are sisters Amber (left) with Alice, and Cara Doggett, of Wellsford, with her Charolais/Friesian calf Gypsy.

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