Lambs' tails are on the menu at Shearing's Big Day Out on Monday.
The tasty treats will be one of several food options and family entertainment includes helicopter rides, dog trial demonstrations, horse and buggy rides and farm animals available for a close-up inspection.
The main event is a shearing-industryshowcase, with more than 20 of New Zealand's elite shearers and wool handlers donating their wages to help raise $50,000 for the Cancer Society.
"While the shearers and wool handlers will be seriously hard-out shearing sheep and processing wool, we are planning lots of more leisurely activities that will appeal to town and country people alike," Waitara Station's Lloyd Holloway said.
He said the idea for the Big Day Out came from the "astonishing" realisation that the Cancer Society received no funding from Government and was "totally reliant on donations".
"Like all sectors of society, the shearing industry has lost many of its members to cancer over the years, so we decided we were in a position to do something about raising some money.
"So the idea of the Big Day Out was born and we are seeking support from everybody in rural sector industries to show solidarity with our shearers and wool handlers."
He said the only other place to see such a world-class collection of shearers working together would be at Golden Shears.
The level of support from the Hawke's Bay business community was "immense", with Meridian Energy, Elco Direct Wool Buyers, Bayleys Rural Real Estate, Blue Water Hotel, Mountain Valley Adventure Lodge, the NZ Motor Caravan Association and Farmlands making substantial contributions toward financial, organisational, operational and accommodation costs.
Waitara Station is a 45 minute drive from Napier, at 496 Brooks Rd in Te Pohue.
Shearing action starts at 5am "but I don' texpect too many to be here at that time".
"We anticipate 10am to 5pm being the busiest time for people."
- Shearing's Big Day Out, Monday, January 4, 496 Brooks Rd in Te Pohue from 10am.
