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A fun-filled two-day programme featuring everything from racing sheep to watermelon-eating contests will mark Warkworth’s 150th annual A&P Lifestyle Show on Auckland Anniversary weekend, January 28 and 29.
The show is one of New Zealand’s longest running annual events and has a tradition of bringing town and country people together to celebrate and enjoy NZ’s rural heritage. Its major sponsors are Bayleys and Wharehine.
As well as the ever-popular show ring events, wood-chopping, dog trials, shearing competitions, displays, a trade show, market and equestrian events, many of the sideshow events will be free this year, thanks to sponsorship from Mason Contractors.
The 2017 show will also feature for the first time ever the Silly Bugg#rs Challenge as part of the Sunday programme. The challenge will pit workmates, friends, family and sports clubs against one another for the honour of being the best Silly Bugg#rs and winning a mystery trophy. There will be number of set activities to complete including watermelon eating, mini-bike races, blanket runs and moonhopper slaloms.
Entries must be submitted by January 22. Entry forms are available from Bayleys and Mahurangi Matters offices in Warkworth, or online at sporty.co.nz/mahusport or facebook.com/mahusport
The equestrian section has been granted Royal Event status and will be held over two days. It’s expected to draw a particularly strong field as all Supreme Champions will receive coveted red, white and blue sashes. Some of NZ’s top riders will be competing.
A crowd-pleaser for motoring buffs will be the stopover of 42 veteran cars at the showgrounds on Sunday morning. The rally of century-old vehicles is a re-enactment of a Parliamentary Tour of the ‘winterless north’ done in 1917 to inspect the state of the roads.
Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show president Mark Macky describes the show as a “gift from our forebears”.
“We have an amazing show planned and the community needs to step up to continue the legacy that has been created,” he says.
The show gates open at 8.30am on both Saturday and Sunday. Entry (which covers both days) is $15 adult, $5 children 5-14 yrs; under five free. There is also a Family Pass for two adults and up to four children for $40. And the best news of all … there is plenty of free parking.
For full programme details, go to warkworthaandpshow.com
