By the same token, organisers are counting on free entertainment and free tickets for children aged up to 16 years to bring in urban visitors feeling the pinch of higher living expenses.
The three-day New Zealand Agricultural Show is going back to its rural roots with new attractions to celebrate its 160th anniversary when it opens the gates on November 15.
Free passes are being handed out again thanks to a generous grant from the Kiwi Gaming Foundation.
Organisers say this is a key part of the show’s continued emphasis on introducing youth to the town-meets-country event.
General manager Tracy Ahern said the show was lucky as it was often the one week that agricultural people came to town to get their haircut, buy clothing and catch up with friends.
The big agricultural firms would continue to come as they wanted to build relationships with customers, members and partners, she said.
"For our farming community I think people will still come and gather as it’s a big experience for them. Everybody still wants their animals to be the best of the best because they can get a better price for their animals and they need to know what’s going on."
She said there was some concern whether tightened family incomes would have a bearing on visitor numbers.
Free passes for children attending the event with parents was a real value-add for families who might otherwise not come to the show, she said.
"We’ve tried this year to keep the costs down, so we have been really hand-picking trade exhibitors and anything that’s out-there expensive we haven’t got, but at the same time we know people want to see a Tesla and see what it looks like so we do have a Tesla experience. So we’ve tried to provide a balance."
Many events — such as the sold-out barbecue competition, endurocross, wood-chopping, duck and dog trials — were free to view, which gave good value to the ticket price, she said.
The show’s late night on Thursday will include a barn dance with country music in the entertainment zone for the first time. This will coincide with a terrier race and 25 teams will compete for the main prize of a Suzuki Swift in a new axe-throwing competition.
Other new or returning events include a Christmas cake-making competition, handmade soft toy competition, farm-to-plate artisan offerings, farmyard experience and sheep milking for kids.
Mrs Ahern said a heavy youth focus would continue as one of the mission statements was to make sure every child in Canterbury had the opportunity to come to the show at least once in their lives.
Farmyard animals — a popular attraction with children — are being moved away from the livestock pens to their own area near the stables.
Alongside this will be a farmyard experience zone with new interactions they can touch and feel as well as demonstrations.
Mrs Ahern said the aim was for children to learn more about farming in a fun, educational and interactive environment.
"So we’ve tried to make sure that if a family comes that it’s not only free for children to get in, but there’s enough for children to do for free."
In place of the farmyard, a wool site will celebrate the history of wool over the past 160 years with an interactive tour, innovations, spinning demonstrations and wool judging.
Research carried out last year revealed show offerings were heading in a mainstream direction and this was being reeled in to get the show back to its farming roots.
A large artisan area was based on the theme of country coming to town, with products unavailable in supermarkets and small items visitors could afford.
"Our aim is to celebrate all things rural and to introduce new aspects to people in the city. We’re creating a country fair experience. We want it to be an agricultural mind overload."
Exhibitor entries are expected to match last year’s tally of 5449 entries in 262 categories.
