MEDIA RELEASE

Monday 14 October 2013

For immediate release

One month till Showtime

It is New Zealand’s biggest and best Agricultural and Pastoral Show and its back to celebrate all things rural. With the countdown on for this year’s Show, it’s time for all Cantabrians to come together to celebrate all that is great about the region.

Now in its 151st year, the 2013 Canterbury A&P Show features an amazing line up of show stopping entertainment including live music, a culinary heaven including some of the nation’s finest food and wine, close to 6,000 competition entries, plus an amazing 3,000 animals. 

According to Canterbury A&P Show Event Director Geoff Bone, around 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the South Island’s largest single event, which offers families unbeatable value with a packed programme of entertainment and attractions and plenty of free activities.

“On average, a visitor to the Show spends six hours at the event. If you consider a family, that equates to about $9 an hour for the entire family, with no need to spend more, as we encourage people to bring their own food and drinks and enjoy lunch in one of our picnic areas. A&P Shows are part of the fabric of the region - the Canterbury A&P Show is the people’s event, a celebration of the best of the best and a chance to come together with family and friends to enjoy an event unlike any other” said Bone.

Live Music

There will be plenty of live music on show with X Factor NZ winner Jackie Thomas performing on the Main Stage on the MORE FM Village Green on Showday. Fresh from her recent X Factor win, the Greymouth local has released her debut album comprising the 12 songs covered during the popular television competition. Jackie topped the voting polls for seven weeks and is sure to be a hit with Showgoers. One of the finest marching bands in the world, the New Zealand Army Band, will be performing daily on the Main Stage. Last year the band performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the 60th Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle. Bold and brassy Christchurch duo The Funky Hot Mamas will also be performing at this year’s Show as well as local cover band The Bubblemen.

Livestock & Equestrian Entries

Livestock and equestrian entries are on par with previous years with exhibitors expected from across the country, competing for $100,000 in prize money. The woodchopping section will be hosting an international test, with competitors from Australia competing in the New South Wales vs South Island vs North Island Stihl Team Race. This year’s showjumping programme includes some highlight events with the West Acre Farm Pony Grand Prix, South Canterbury Saddlery Horse Speed Championship and Ballantynes Horse Grand Prix with top placed New Zealand riders and horses competing. 

Volunteer Effort

At the heart of the Canterbury A&P Association is a history of promoting agricultural and pastoral interests. It is the tireless and enthusiastic work of all volunteers that contributes to the overall success of the annual Show. This includes judges and stewards from throughout New Zealand as well as internationally who preside over the livestock and competition judging, all participating on a voluntary basis. “Volunteer contribution towards the organisation and running of the Show is essential to its operation. The Show utilises the skills and resources of 570 volunteers contributing well over 20,000 voluntary hours to the successful delivery of the event” added Bone.

Schools Education Programme

As part of the Schools Education Programme, the Canterbury A&P Show will welcome 100 schools and invited groups comprising over 6,000 students, parents and teachers. The programme was developed to encourage younger audiences to the Show with schools and invited groups offered discounted ticketing to attend either Wednesday or Thursday of the Show. The programme is made available by a subsidy from the Canterbury A&P Association.

Show Entertainment

The 2013 Canterbury A&P Show features a line-up of top class entertainment, food and wine, plenty of animals and shopping plus activities and attractions that will delight the whole family. Entertainment highlights include The Lumberjack Show with world champion Stirling Hart of Canada battling against one of NZ’s finest, Bobby Dowling aka The Mega Unit who will be risking life and limb, racing up and down a 50 foot pole and running on logs in water. There’s plenty more back on show this year including the JCL Canterbury FMX Open, cooking demonstrations with top chefs including Julie Biuso, the comedic talents of Ben Hurley and Justine Smith in the Tui BaaBaa Bar, plus all the Show favourites, including the Shetland Grand National and the Ballantynes Grand Parade.

This year’s 151st Canterbury A&P Show will be held Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 November at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch. It is the largest A&P Show in the country attracting 100,000 people, close to 6,000 livestock and feature competition entries and 600 trade exhibitors.

ENDS

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