Traditional show 'up-dated to attract more people’

Press, 25 October 1985, Page 20

Traditional show 'up-dated to attract more people’

The traditional A. and P. Show has given way to a new look in Rangiora this week-end.

This year’s Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Rangiora Show has been “updated to attract more town people,” said the show president, Mr lan Ford.

The major change is in Saturday afternoon’s main ring programme. Usually dominated by show jumping, this year most of the

horse events will be held on Friday, leaving the ring free for a variety of displays and parades. After the smaller number of horse classes for Saturday have finished, there will be a vintage machinery display, marching girls, then the final dog trials. The Grand Parade is timed for 2.15 p.m., and will be followed by a SmallHarness Pony Scurry, then a special display from the New Zealand Police Display Team. This will include a band, horses, dogs and a car conversion and capture sequence.

After the “cops and robbers” performance, there will be a Drive and Ride Teams Competition, a drum

majors display with the Rangiora Brass Band, a helicopter lolly scramble, a motorbike display and model aero-club display. The day will finish about 5 p.m., with a barbecue running late into the afternoon. Another change in the show’s format is a move away from traditional side shows. The side shows will be replaced by a variety of clubs and organisations staging their own competitions and displays for their own fund raising purposes. “This gives the whole show more of a community flavour,” said Mr Ford. The Rangiora Lions Club has organised the new-look side show activities, and

will once again man the gate at the show. Displays at this year’s show will include farm machinery, vintage machinery, a Wrestling Club competition, Highland dancing competition and shearing competition, as well as home produce, photography, and art and craft displays. Of course, there will be all the poultry, pigs, sheep, cattle and goats to look at. The show starts today at 7 a.m. with the first of 78 dog trials, and the gates will be manned until 4 p.m. There are no charges today, but entry tomorrow will be $3 for adults, 50 cents for school children, and preschoolers are allowed in free.