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Good crowds on the second day have organisers positive the Canterbury A&P Show in Christchurch was an overall success, despite a stormy start.
The final gate attendance and takings are due out by the end of this week for the three-day event which was given special Royal Show status.
Rain falling for most of the first day, on November 13, was followed by a sunny Friday bringing out crowds while the Saturday was interrupted by a freak hail storm.
The show marked the return of a full schedule after last year’s financially-stricken event was saved by a $5 million injection by the Christchurch City Council and a new board and organising team.
Canterbury A&P Association chairman Sir David Carter said they were thrilled with the overall result.
"We still have to analyse the final financials for the show, but at this stage it is looking very promising."
A good attendance of mostly farmers in wet weather gear supported the first day, he said.
"So we are pleased with that and Friday is potentially a record day for us and the weather was fine and the crowds were really good all day long."
He said they were challenged by a thunderstorm coming through on the final day, whereby hail was sliding off exhibitor marquees.
But the storm arrived in the afternoon and everyone was already on site for three good days despite the weather being less than perfect, he said.
Sir David said the Royal Show status helped to increase interest and people wanted to support an event that was overcoming challenges.
"The challenges we had been through the previous year putting on a reduced show plus our intention to get this back to a full muster was appreciated by people."
He said the show organisers were already working on ways to make next year’s show even better.
Trade exhibitors reported good sales and interest on Friday with some of them worried about the audience on the Saturday.
Organisers want to look deeper into the "captive market" for a carnival-type final day attended by mainly urban visitors and blend this into the town meets country event.
Among the highlights was seeing loyal people supporting the show and its events and the success of Wool Expo, a new site showcasing wool at every stage, he said.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spent nearly an hour visiting the wool pavilion on Friday.
Sir David said buoyant dairy and red meat industries contributed to the show’s success.
"The resurgence of Christchurch is probably more driven by the Canterbury farming economy [more] than many of the city leaders realise. We are the second largest city in New Zealand, but we are still very much dependent on the hinterland."
Main results
• The winner of the overall supreme exhibit of show was Silverstream Chandler, exhibited by Anna Fisher from the Silverstream Charolais stud.
• Silverstream Chandler was also the supreme champion beef animal.
• The supreme champion dairy animal was Belbrook Stoplight Esther exhibited by Robbie Wakelin.
• In the sheep pens, a Southdown sheep from Charles and Emma Miller-Brown of Bellfield Southdowns won the supreme champion meat animal title.
• The supreme champion wool animal was a Corriedale exhibited by Andrew and Anne Sidey of Glenovis.
