Wairoa is warming up for its annual A and P show. The show runs for almost two days on Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 21 and this year even more fun is promised.
Gates at the Ruataniwha Road grounds north of the bridge are expected to open at 1pm on
Friday for contests aimed at the locals.
There is the ever-popular speed shearing, a rodeo competition with calf riding and a singing section featuring NZ Idol finalist and Mohaka lad Rongo Brightwell, with local identity Emily Aitken.
No doubt the highlight of Friday's show events will be the Rural Romeo contest, open to all men of any age, married or single, who either wants to enter or can be coerced by a wife or partner - "as long as they have a romantic streak", says 2005 contestant and show society president Fenton Wilson.
Last year's contestants had to dress a model, write a poem, arrange a vase of flowers, and sing You Are My Sunshine.
The contest is organised by the "Ugly Sisters" who are keeping this year's tasks a closely guarded secret.
First prize last year was dinner for two on the Wine Country Cat with accommodation for the night.
Mr Wilson said sideshows and food outlets would be open on Friday afternoon.
The ever-growing horse section of the show starts on Thursday with dressage and continues until Saturday. Saturday is a fun day for the family. There will be the thrills and spills of the open rodeo competition with the guns saying they'll be there; the open shearing competition with current Golden Shears title holder Paul Avery expected to show; and woodchopping.
The horse competitions will be in full swing with all three rings operating and a Canadian Indian cultural group will perform on the main stage.
