Amusement operator CJ Mahon with an empty fairground as a result of the partial cancellation of the Hawke's Bay Show's opening day, due to a wind warning. He hoped for two busy days ahead. Photo / Doug Laing
Amusement operator CJ Mahon with an empty fairground as a result of the partial cancellation of the Hawke's Bay Show's opening day, due to a wind warning. He hoped for two busy days ahead. Photo / Doug Laing
The Hawke’s Bay Show will go ahead as planned for People’s Day despite the “partial cancellation” that shut the gates to the public on opening day.
The Hawke’s Bay A&P Society made the call early today, due to strong wind warnings.
Tickets purchased for today could still be used onFriday, and refunds can be requested online for purchasers no longer able to go.
Stalwart fairground operators Mahon’s Amusements announced they will also open 9am-4pm on Saturday.
Some programmed events unable to be held today would become “added extras” on Friday, for which no wind warnings were in place as of mid-afternoon.
There was little sign of strengthening wind until about 11.30am, with temperatures on their way north of 30C.
By mid-afternoon the rubbish bins had started flying, and the horse-jumping had taken an early break.
New society general manager Hannah Morrah said there had been consultation with Civil Defence Management overnight about the conditions, and “how and when” a decision could be made.
It was made by mid-morning today and she said: “I think we made the right decision.”
Blair Kitchen and Yaya True kept their Thaishi food truck going, despite the shortage of customers amid a wind warning on the opening day of the Hawke's Bay Show. Photo / Doug Laing
Despite the “partial-cancellation”, horses and riders continued jumping in the oval, including Dannevirke legend Maurice Beatson, and the Great Raihania Shears’ Secondary Schools challenge was completed in the first use of a new stand, in the sheep pavilion.
The sheep dog trials had over 100 runs to be completed, and veteran Bob Bruce said: “We can’t stop, it’s part of a national event.”
Watching Gisborne trialist Laurence Rau, Bruce said: “He was docking at Matawai yesterday. The wind got too strong, so he came down to trial.”
Hardest hit were vendors, with a mixture of biting the bullet, or biting the dust – but coming back tomorrow.
Blair Kitchen and Nutchaya (Yaya) True, from Napier, were still running their Thaishi truck in the food quarter.
“It was a bit of a shock,” said Kitchen of the moment show staff went around the sites informing vendors of the decision, which was conveyed in greater detail soon afterwards by email.
Equestrian events continued on the oval on the first day of the Hawke's Bay Show in Hastings, with little sign of forecast strong winds before midday. Photo / Doug Laing
“I’ve never seen a show cancelled by the wind before,” he said.
