Big crowd enjoy Raetihi A&P show

Families enjoy their day at the annual A & P show in Raetihi on Saturday.

It was a balmy, warm day in Raetihi on Saturday which attracted around 400 mostly young families to the annual A&P at the showgrounds.

Entries in the competitive sections including gorgeous vegetables, intricate handcrafts, floral displays, artwork, home baking, jewellery and photographs were the highest they'd ever been.

Organiser Stephanie Rogers at the produce shed where the exhibition was set up, said more than 300 people had entered which had kept the judges busy getting results sorted while stewards had set out all the entries from the night before.

Ohakune, Raetihi and Orautoha primary schools had entered a raft of items with the most popular being the decorated rock contest.

An array of rocks smothered in glitter were side-by-side, each with added extras like a glued on feathers, a pair of plastic eyes or smiley lips.

Events around the central show ring included a petting zoo with sheep, a kune kune pig and small goats, a ring where children could learn circus tricks from "Highly Flammable" a Wellington theatre group, a bouncy castle, a tug-of-war and the favourite - the pet show.

Food stalls included the inevitable hot dogs and chips but the Wild Food Stall with chef Joe Mcleod that was the hot favourite.

Wood chopping, a gymkhana, and stalls selling homemade jams and chutneys and a huge array of vegetables all added to the show mix.

The Raetihi show still retains that rural, community feel and makes it a stress-free day out for the locals.

It was show day full of smiles,laughter and family time for all.