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Roll Up, Roll Up, To The Best Show In Town This Easter

Why head for the hills these holidays when the best show in town is in Auckland? Save on stress, avoid the traffic jams and maximise your holiday time at Auckland’s favourite family festival, the Royal Easter Show.

On from Thursday 5 to Monday 9 April at the ASB Showgrounds, the Royal Easter Show has something for everyone - from toddlers to teens, to oldies, town and country folk.

Hollywood hit Over the Hedge is headlining the event. A show version of DreamWorks’ animated hit movie, the voices of Bruce Willis and Garry Shandling and characters RJ the Racoon, Hammy the Squirrel and Verne the Turtle star in this all-singing, all-dancing live musical adventure.

Classic cartoon characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are also live on stage with the Looney Tunes Loot Show, a show full of singing, dancing and fun for the audience.

The Cadbury Crème Egg Circus EGGstravaganza is back with an all-new circus spectacular featuring not one, but two, world famous acts - Romanian acrobatic duo the Badea Brothers who come fresh from the world champs, and motorcycle riders the Globe of Death Daredevil Team.

Loggersports fans will be wowed by this year’s drawcard, world logrolling champion Canadian Darren Hudson. Current and two time world champ, Hudson, 27, will join the Kiwi Loggersports team in chainsaw carving, axe throwing, crosscut sawing and logrolling demonstrations.

Comedian and hypnotist Guy Cater offers hilarious fun for the whole family. Expect to see ballerinas, James Bond, the Village People and more as willing members of the audience fall under Guy’s spell.
Taking to the main stage each evening is ‘Mercury Rising’, a tribute show to Freddie Mercury and Queen fronted by singer/musician Steve Larkin. While on the outside stage, “Crazy Russian” acrobats the Pop Eyed Duo impress with their incredible hand-balancing feats and Basketball Jones dribbles, spins and juggles, causing basketball mayhem.
Kids will love meeting the stars of SKY’s Nickelodeon TV. Cosmo and Wanda from the Fairly Odd Parents, plus Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants and his sidekick Patrick, are all onsite each day to meet and greet fans.

The Lion Foundation Royal Easter Show Shears is back with world champion David Fagan expected to give New Zealand champ Paul Avery and number two John Kirkpatrick a run for their money. Speed shearing world record holder Dion King will also attempt to beat his current world record of 14.94 seconds.

For art lovers, teen art from around the world is on display and for sale. Run by the Rotary Club of Otorohanga, the inaugural International Student Art Contest is open to high school students worldwide with entries received from as far away as Nepal, Mongolia, Romania, Peru, Israel, Argentina, Jamaica, UK and US. Sale proceeds go directly to the artists, less 25 percent for Rotary-funded youth charitable initiatives.

The new ASB Farm Zone recreates a street in a rural New Zealand town during the agricultural boom of the late 1930s, complete with a Noah’s Ark of farm animals and petting pens so children can get up close and learn about the animals.

Many of the country’s top horses, ponies and riders are also confirmed to compete in the prestigious Royal Easter Show equestrian competition, in events including showjumping, show hacking classes, breed classes, and miniature horses.

All the old favourites remain including the ever-popular carnival with its rides and stalls, The Great Cadbury Bunny Show, the Royal Easter Cat Show, and street entertainers providing constantly changing entertainment.

The Royal Easter Show Art Awards, New Zealand’s largest art competition, see hundreds of artworks on show and for sale, while the winners of the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards are also on display.

The recently completed redevelopment of the ASB Showgrounds means visitors to this year’s show will be among the first to enjoy the ground’s new facilities, halls and buildings with construction finished only days before the Show’s start.

A firm family favourite with more than 80,000 visitors last year, Royal Easter Show representative John Robertson has some tips for making the day a great success:
• Arrive early to avoid the crowds. Programmes are available from the information kiosk with show times, a full schedule, map and everything else you need to know.

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