The occasion was a military open day at the showgrounds, a thank you to the people of the Maniototo for hosting up to 500 soldiers during the past week, New Zealand Army South Island information officer Jane Wright said.
Junior and senior rugby games were held as usual at the same venue, while in the grounds next to the fields buses unloaded soldiers, army tents were set up and military vehicles and weapons were on display.
A military exercise has been conducted around St Bathans, Ranfurly and Naseby for the past week and the personnel leave the Maniototo today on a three or four-day march to Omarama.
"The open day was our way of saying thanks to the people of the area for their hospitality.
The locals have been very welcoming," Mrs Wright said.
It had been about 20 years since the last major army exercise in the area.
"We were pleased with how it went and grateful to have real civilians being `evacuated' earlier in the week.
Usually we have soldiers playing civilians, but it's more effective with real civilians - you get more realistic circumstances and real problems."
The soldiers had camped in the Naseby forest as well as at the showgrounds.
Although it was difficult to work out how many people attended the open day, Mrs Wright said "people seemed to arrive in droves all day".
The display of military weapons was particularly popular with children.
They were able to handle a range of weapons, including machine guns, grenade guns and sniper rifles.
"Our soldiers commented later how familiar most of the children were with guns, with most obviously living on farms and used to handling guns," Mrs Wright said.
Rides on army vehicles were also popular.
- lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz
