Show trade space nearly full

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

THE demand for trade space at the Poverty Bay A&P Spring Show in mid-October has been strong again and as of today 95 percent of the available space had been filled.

The response has been about on a par with last year, said show manager Erica McNeil.

“It’s been great to see some new exhibitors come on board for our show.”

The flow of entries for the various competition components of the Spring Show has begun.

“The entries are trickling in slowly at this early stage,” Mrs McNeil said.

“We expect the numbers coming to increase considerably as we approach the various closing dates.”

The home industries will be the first to close on September 9.

Last year there were around 1750 entries across the numerous home industries classes.

Entries for the dog trials and national dancing close on September 13, with around 250 dogs entered last year, and more than 330 dance entries.

September 20 is the closing date for dairy goats, shearing and chopping.

The equestrian entries close on September 30.

The various livestock competitions will all be staged again this year, with two new ones — the Swine Commander pig competition organised by Stephen Thomson, and the Old Season Lamb Muster run by the Candys from Mangahauhau Hampshires.