Changes to A&P show considered

Bella Simons (3), of Palmerston, looks at a llama line-up at last week's Palmerston and Waihemo A...
Bella Simons (3), of Palmerston, looks at a llama line-up at last week's Palmerston and Waihemo A&P Show. Photo by Bill Campbell.
The Palmerston and Waihemo A&P Show committee is considering new directions for the 131-year-old show.

The show committee held a debriefing this week and decided some changes were needed to the show's format.

After several years of high attendance figures - about 2500 per show - the numbers at this year's show, held last Saturday, were well down.

Committee chairwoman Angela Butt said part of the problem had been the number of competing attractions in Dunedin and around Otago on the same day.

Suggestions to lure people to the annual show included a field day feature on lifestyle blocks and a blade-shearing demonstration. She saw a need to show what trade services could be provided to lifestyle block owners.

Other initiatives included improving the entertainment offered, increasing entries for vegetables and flowers in the hall, developing the Young Farmers event, held at this year's show for the first time, and also looking at the prices charged for some children's entertainment.

Meanwhile, after 16 shows as secretary, Palmerston and Waihemo A&P Show secretary Heather McGregor will step down from the position.

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