From fruit and veg to photographs, crochet and flowers, the indoor exhibits continue a tradition that began more than a century ago.
From fruit and veg to photographs, crochet and flowers, the indoor exhibits continue a tradition that began more than a century ago.
Anyone who can get their hands on a home-grown cucumber - long green (but not telegraph), long white, short white or apple - will be guaranteed a warm welcome at Te Ahu in Kaitaia today, when entries are taken (1pm to 6pm) for the 129th Kaitaia and Districts (formerly theMangonui County) A&P show.
It doesn't have to be cucumbers, of course, and president Jim Burrough might take some beating there anyway.
Home gardeners should also be casting a critical eye over their beans (dwarf, runner and butter), carrots (large and baby), onions (red, Pukekohe long keeper and pickling), eschallots, round beet, long beet, rhubarb, tomatoes (cherry, red, yellow and pear-shaped), silverbeet, capsicums, chilli peppers, potatoes (red, white, Maori and large), kumikumi (green and ripe), bush marrows, buttercup, pumpkin (Queensland blue or crown), or any other vegetable that isn't specified.
Grapes, passionfruit (purple and banana), apples, peaches, pears, plums, lemons and any other variety of fruit will be equally welcome, as will hen eggs and herbs.
For those who don't have green fingers there are sections for flowers, children's floral work, preserves, cooking (including for children), needlework/craft (including for children), knitting and crochet, photography and children's painting.
Entering costs a modest 40 cents (for association members) and 50 cents for others, with flowers and cooking also accepted from 8am to 10am on tomorrow.
The hall will open to the public from 1pm to 4pm tomorrow, and 9am to 3pm on Saturday.
Indoor schedules are available at RD1, DD Gold and the library at Te Ahu.
The balance of the show gets under way on Saturday, with many traditional attractions and some newer ones.
Horse events will begin in the main oval at 9.30am, followed by stock horses, jumping (both in the oval), Arabians and led sport horses and ponies (on the polocrosse field) at 1pm, with the grand parade at 3pm.
Elsewhere on the grounds judges will be assessing beef and dairy cattle, sheep and wool, while the poultry and small animals classes will cater for ducks, bantams, light and heavy bird breeds.
And in the junior section the judges will also be looking for the best rabbit and guinea pig in show.
Admission to the grounds will cost adults $5, children aged five to 16 $2, and preschoolers are free.
