The first Ashburton A&P Show in three years will take place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 and organisers are hoping for upward of 10,000 people to attend.
Show president Victor Schikker said it’s the first show since Covid, back in 2019.
And how important is the Show to the region?
“Well it’s very important to Mid Canterbury,” Schikker said.
“It just one of those things that has been in the calendar for 145 years. I would like to think that people look forward to it and it’s a day out. But we are targeting town people to come in as well. Part of our mantra is connecting town and country.
“As much as we like to see farmers here inspecting the wares and displays, and enjoying some hospitality, we also like to see town people. And this year especially we would like to see different cultures come along,” he said.
“There are 3000 Filipinos living in Mid Canterbury and although we see some at local functions, we would like to see those who are involved in our community come along to the show.
“As far as entrants, we have 4200 exhibitor entries involved in the home industries, the horses, the dog trials, sheep, cattle, etc. All these make a tremendous display.”
There are some entries on the day, like the shearing, Schikker said.
Shearers like to just turn up – it depends on how they feel. They might be shearing elsewhere or wake up on the day and want to attend (or not).
“Our shearing competition is part of a B grade circuit which is part of a national competition, so we would like to think that a reasonable number of shearers turn up – this might be 20 or 30.”
Schikker said the main committee had been holding a monthly meeting right throughout the year and each section had a sub-committee which met regularly. We want to see the fruition of our hard work and a good show come out of it, he said.
“We would like a crowd of 10,000 – that would be great.”
So get along and support the show – the most important event in Mid Canterbury’s calendar. The weather forecast is looking good, the grounds are being set up as we speak – it will be a great day out for both town and country.

• By Pat Deavoll