The mother of all exhibitions

Photo / Greg Bowker

Big smiles and even bigger bellies were on show outside the Auckland Museum yesterday as a group of expectant mums released pink and blue balloons to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Parent and Child Show.

The show, which begins next Friday (October 31), is expected to draw around 20,000 people to the ASB Showgrounds over three days, spending an estimated $1.3 million.

ASG Parent and Child Show spokeswoman Shannon Caldwell said the event had not been without dramatic moments.

"At least one woman has gone into labour at the show and had to leave to go deliver her baby."