In its 134th year, the Palmerston Waihemo A&P Show is set to expand. For the first time, the Palmerston calendar highlight will spread over two days.
Palmerston Waihemo A&P Association president Paul Mutch, of Glenpark, said after the community had expressed an interest in new events, the 10-member management committee, all only in their second year, had ‘‘built on the strength of past shows'' to host not only a ‘‘show day'', but a ‘‘community day'' as well.
The grounds entry fee would be waived on the community day, when non-traditional events, including a cowboy challenge, events for Riding for the Disabled, safe horse handling workshops, and Teach a Boy to Ride, where girls teach boys how to ride a horse, would take centre stage.
The event, founded in 1881, would this year be held on Waitangi Day weekend, on February 6 and 7. Mr Mutch is expecting a crowd of 5000 per day.
Palmerston-Waihemo A&P Association secretary Maria Barta said the show committee was ‘‘indebted'' to the work of previous committees.‘‘We're one of the few shows left which still has a very vibrant and lovely hall section,'' she said.
Children as young as 2 could compete in the hall show this year.
And while she expected this year's show day to remain competitive, the community day, she said, would be ‘‘very light-hearted''.
