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The General Schedule, which outlines the various classes of competitions open to the public, will be available in shops and businesses around the middle of this month. The Equestrian Schedule will follow later.
Show secretary Marjorie Blythen says the competitions are an excellent way for all members of the family to reconnect with the simpler things in life.
“It may sound a little old-fashioned, but we’re seeing a return to ordinary activities that develop our own skills, whether that be in the kitchen, the garden, the paddock or in other creative ways,” Marjorie says.
“The competitions encourage participation by as many people as possible, which is the essence of the show.”
The General Schedule covers a wide range of areas of interest from horses, cattle, dairy goats, dogs and calf club to the home industry activities such as cooking, horticulture, art and craft, photography, painting, garden produce and needlework. Participation from children is always encouraged with categories for junior, intermediate and seniors.
“It’s always interesting to see where the entries come from,” Marjorie says. “We have children entering from as far afield as Dairy Flat.”
The schedule also provides information and hints on how to enter and what the judges might be looking for.
All section winners receive a prize and in the 2017 event, they will also have the distinction of winning at the 150th anniversary show.
Marjorie says although January can be an awkward time of year for a lot of families who may be away on holidays, there is provision to store entries prior to Christmas.
“We try to make the show as accessible as we possibly can.”
The A&P event is aimed at promoting excellence in agriculture, while at the same time bringing a bit of the country to town. This is reflected in the inclusion of ‘lifestyle’ in the name several years ago.
Next year’s show will be held over two days – January 28 and 29 – with a bumper programme of events planned.
Schedules will be available at various locations including Mahurangi Matters, Paper Plus, Farm & Lifestyle Centre, Tumbleweed in Matakana and the Top Four Square in Wellsford.
If anyone would like to know how they can lend a hand, contact Allan Barber on 422 9515, 027 447 7000 or ambarber@ihug.co.nz
