The Tauranga A&P Lifestyle Show will change to Sunday this year for the first time in its history.
The Tauranga A&P Lifestyle Show will change to Sunday this year for the first time in its history.
For the first time in its 122-year history the Tauranga A & P Lifestyle Show will be staged on Sunday and organisers believe it could pay big dividends.
Secretary Lyall Holmes says due to circumstances beyond its control and date changes the committee had to make the call but theywere confident it was the right one.
"We have had nothing but positive feedback about the change since it was announced."
Lyall says the show is steeped in tradition, however it had to evolve with the times and was always looking to the future as it shifted focus to incorporate lifestylers.
"We have got amazing potential because we have changed our track so much. The growth in lifestylers in our area is phenomenal."
Tauranga A & P Lifestyle Show president David Harricks says the show will be a wonderful, inexpensive family day out and not just for farming folk.
The lifestylers term encompassed people from all walks of life in the town and country.
"It's for lifestylers - whether you have a worm farm at your apartment block, a vege garden in your backyard, or a lifestyle block with cattle in the country," David says.
"There will be plenty for everyone to see and do, with much to enthral children too," he says.
As many as 7000 people attended the 2016 show and he expected big crowds on Sunday.
Rod Griffin, the show's shearing section chief steward, says overseas interest is expected in the shearing events.
"Competitors just turn up on the day. Over the last few years we have done well in attracting top people. Last year, for example, we had world record holders competing," Rod says.
He expects the same high calibre may well be on show again this year, especially as NZ is hosting the World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Invercargill in February.
There will be lots to see at the Tauranga A&P Lifestyle Show.
A competition between shearers from New Zealand and France will be part of the action at this weekend's show, and there will also be a sheep racing event.
Cattle co-ordinator Danny Gill says entries were up on last year which was pleasing as numbers had dwindled in the past.
"We have had more inquiries this year than the last three or four years. We were sort of a dying thing simply because we haven't got the farmers here and traditionally the A & P Show was for livestock and cattle and animals and horses."
Tauranga has had to go away from that because we haven't got the farmers but thousands of lifestylers, he says.
Other action at the show includes equestrian events, pony rides, a petting zoo, a cattle show, trade stalls, a fairground, KidsZone, artisan goods, a rock climbing wall and super water slides, a lifestyle lane, children's craft activities, and juggling and balloon action from moving entertainment duo Skew Wiff.
There will also be strongmen, axemen and a display by The Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club which would feature a range of vintage engines and equipment, celebrating 100 years since the advent of the first Fordson tractors.
Details:
What: Tauranga A & P Lifestyle Show When: On Sunday from 10am to 4pm Where: Tauranga Racecourse Price: $10 for adults with children under 12 free
Tickets to the show can be purchased from eventfinda.co.nz or at the gate on the day. Every ticket holder will receive an entry in the draw to win $1000 cash or a barbecue.
