The Otago Taieri A&P Show may have been missing the popular cattle categories this year, but that did not seem to bother Roman Wharerimu.
"There’s still ice cream, [fairground] rides and tractors," the 4-year-old said.
"I’m happy."
It was the perfect occasion for ice cream, as temperatures in Mosgiel neared 30degC on Saturday.
While many complained about the heat and some were prompted to make their visits shorter rather than longer, Roman and his family were among hundreds who stayed most of the day, to see the usual line up of farm machinery, trade displays, wood chopping events, equestrian events, dog trials, live music, food, arts and crafts, fairground rides and slides, and of course animals — minus the cattle.
This year, Otago Taieri A&P Show organisers cut cattle categories, like other shows across the south, to guard against the transmission of Mycoplasma bovis — a bacterial infection that affects cattle.
Despite the cuts, organisers said the 158th annual show was the largest yet, and still proved to be a great day for the community to come together and enjoy a small piece of farm life.
Some of this year’s highlights were APRA award-winning children’s songwriter "Wonky Donkey Man" Craig Smith, local country singers Bevan Gardiner and Georgie Daniell, a big-rig truck show, free-rider Talia Allison giving a display of horse riding with no saddle or bridle, and the perennial pet corner for all animal lovers to enjoy.
