Staff and stalls are ready this weekend

Show volunteer David Young, of Mosgiel, holds one of his decorative dahlias as he arranges the floral exhibit for the show this weekend. Photos: Linda Robertson.

The ribbons are ready and the livestock have been groomed ahead of Otago’s largest A&P show today.

About 3000 people from as far afield as Christchurch and Gore are expected to descend on the Taieri A&P showgrounds at Mosgiel for the Otago Taieri A&P Society’s 157th show today.

Jordon Boorer guides Peter Marshall ( obscured) ahead of the regional excavator competition at the Taieri A&P Show today. Photos: Linda Robertson.

Society secretary Cate Edgeler said 157 years ago the show focused very much on the rural community, however today it served as the meeting point of town and country.

Attendees could indulge in a spot of shopping, watch dog trials and the highland games and try their hand at driving mini diggers.

More than 300 ribbons had been prepared for equestrian classes alone, however controlling the hundreds of animals over the 10ha grounds was less challenging than it sounded, Mrs Edgeler said.

Set-up of the show began on Monday and all commercial stalls would pack up at the end of today.

Tomorrow competition for beef, dairy, sheep, wool and equestrian would continue, she said.