A&P Show
A&P Shows are a product of a century of family involvement. Photo: Neil Wilson
Families all over Golden Bay have been busy for weeks getting ready for show day. The hard-working committee, with president Duncan McKenzie at the helm once again, has been organising since August.
The A&P Show is a highlight on the calendar for many people. For 115 years it has given rural people and townies alike the chance to enjoy horse events, show stock, compete in the produce or crafts sections in the booth, check out the latest products at the trade stalls, or show the community what their business has to offer. The show is an important part of the social fabric of the community and a great source of fun especially for young people.
In the Nesbit household, Brian has been following the traditional lead-up to a show. Brian is a third-generation Puramahoi dairy farmer and his family has a long history of showing cows, with a good deal of success. Cows get a full clip two to three weeks before the show, and first-timers need to be broken in to being led and have some leading practice on most days. Cows that are “regulars” at the show never forget the drill and need less training, says Brian. Brian will be showing four cows in milk as well as a yearling called Chardonnay L E Yvena. Brian’s daughter, Lee Baker, was disappointed that the farm was not represented by a calf in last year’s show. She is rectifying the situation this year.
Brian’s wife Lou, who plays tenor horn, is looking forward to taking part in the Takaka Citizen Band’s show day performances. The band has played at every Golden Bay show day since 1897, and traditionally leads the grand parade, one of the highlights of the day.
People who enjoy the grand parade need to carefully note that the start time is different this year. It will start at 1pm, not at 3pm, as it has in the past. The grand parade will once again feature horses, cattle, sheep and goats displaying their prizes and ribbons; vintage and right-up-to-date machinery, as well as vintage, veteran and collectable vehicles.
Kris Solly and his team from Arista-Cat Mussels have been busy preparing their stall in collaboration with Grant and Tina Clements of TNL Takaka.
“Duncan McKenzie has been suggesting we have a stall for a few years now,” said Kris. “His view is that there are a lot of questions and opinions out there in the Bay and a stall at the show would be a great way to get accurate information out to the community.”
The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology will also have a staff member on the mussel stall to promote the qualification available to young people entering the marine farming industry.
“The marine farming association has put up a scholarship for a Golden Bay student but no one has applied for it this year. It’s just sitting there, waiting for the right young person to apply,” said Kris.
Joanne Taylor from the marine farming association will be there too, explaining how the mentoring, guidance and monitoring systems are working to educate people in the industry in environmental matters. There will also be a small aquarium and posters with industry information.
“We’ll be selling mussels in the half-shell, and patties,” said Kris. “The money from that will be going to flood victims here in the Bay.”
In the display booth there have been a good number of entries, says Jean Wedderburn, the show committee secretary.
“The judging will take place from 10am to 11.30am and the booth will be open for viewing after that. There’s a large floral section and an industrial section showing home crafts. The photography section is popular as usual and there’s stiff competition in the home-brewing section. The children’s section is always popular and people will be amazed by the entries in the fabulous bizarre bra competition.”
Other events include horse-jumping (afternoon only), wood-chopping, shearing and wool-handling, the decorated gumboot competition and the “spud in a bucket” competition for children, with prizes for the biggest number of spuds as well as the heaviest and wackiest spud.
The many food stalls will offer something for everyone: hotdogs, pizzas, venison, baked potatoes and potato twisties, salami, Thai and other Asian food, mussels, vegetarian, fried Maori bread, Mexican burritos, waffles, crepes, donuts, icecream and hot and cold coffee. Morning and afternoon teas and lunches will be available from Melise and Jacky in the rugby club dining room.
There will be plenty of music and entertainment. The Motueka Highland Pipe Band will be playing at different spots around the grounds and the very popular Paul Madsen from the Madsen Brothers will be entertaining in the afternoon.
The traditional fairground entertainments will be there including Adam Allsorts the clown, a bouncy shark, waterwalkers and Carl Clarke’s skillful motorbike riding.
tickets. Gates open at 8am on Saturday. Entry is $8 for adults and children are free (tickets are $6 if bought from NBS until Friday 20 January). There is free parking in the paddock across the road; access is from Dodsons Road.
Change of Gate Policy. In line with other shows, all people entering the showgrounds will be asked to present a prepaid ticket or purchase a ticket at the gate. Anyone who feels that they qualify for a complimentary pass will be asked to purchase a refund ticket which may be refunded at the Show committee’s discretion.
Jean Wedderburn has just one request. “Please don’t bring your dog to the show. The Golden Bay Recreation Park is a Tasman District Council ‘no dog’ area.”
Neil Wilson
