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The show offers plenty for children – either as competitors or spectators.
The Warkworth A&P Lifestyle show may have passed its major 150th anniversary celebrations last year but it shows no signs of losing momentum.
The 151st show will take place on Auckland Anniversary weekend on January 27 at Warkworth Showgrounds with the equestrian events continuing into the following day.
Principal sponsors of the show are Bayleys Real Estate and Wharehine Construction.
Among the new attractions this year will be a Wellness Centre (see page 36) and an “emergency precinct” featuring displays by first responders.
Meanwhile, A&P Show chairman Allan Barber says all the traditional elements that make for a great show will be back in full force.
In addition to equestrian events, other livestock on show will include donkeys, mules, dairy goats and cattle (see page 38)
Sheep shearing and woodchopping competitions will be among the other major attractions, along with dog agility shows and displays of vintage cars.
On a lighter note, The Grand National Sheeplechase will take place, whereby ewes speed down a 50 metre track, bearing dummy jockeys, and spurred on by excitable commentator Greg Clark.
Allan says nobody need go hungry at the show with Fritz’s Weiners, Thai cuisine, Manuka smoked bacon and egg butties, mussel fritters, Bobby’s bacon butties, spun spuds and Hungarian twister fried bread among the many show offerings.
A hospitality marquee will offer a selection of local wines and beers.
Children are especially well catered for with a Mystical Farm animal petting zoo, a scavenger hunt and a children’s entertainment area that includes a water slide and merry-go-round.
Children’s entertainment is sponsored by Mason Contractors and Northland Waste meaning there’s no additional payment required for children’s rides.
Trade displays will include several top farm and lifestyle equipment exhibitors, including Norwood Farm Machinery, AGrowQuip and Northland Powersports
Those living on lifestyle blocks can peruse a wide selection of ride-on mowers, weedeaters, chainsaws and motorcycles.
Allan says over the years Warkworth’s farms have been replaced by lifestyle blocks and the show must reflect that changing reality.
The outdoor displays are complemented by an extensive indoor section featuring traditional A&P fare such as baking, knitting, crafts, woodwork and floral art.
Indoor section organiser Louise Graham says the home brew section has been especially popular in recent years, with a large number of beers and stouts being entered for judging. She hopes to see more wine and cider entries this year.
The baking section will feature a new confectionery class that will challenge competitors to come up with amazing ideas for cupcakes and cake decoration.
Louise says one of her favourite parts of the indoor section is seeing imaginative entries by children.
“Some of them are just spectacular. There is always something that takes your breath away,” she says.
Info: warkworthaandpshow.com
