This year’s 160th North Otago A&P Show is all about family.

A&P Association secretary Katrina Kelly said this year the show was “loaded” with lots of free entertainment and things for children to do.

“That was the whole idea, trying to get as much free stuff for kids, so you can make it not cost a fortune. We want to get families through the gates.” 

The entry fee had also been kept at $10 per adult, with no cost for children.

The 160-year milestone made the North Otago show one of the oldest events in Ōamaru, and also the second oldest show in the South Island, after Christchurch. It had been at the same Ettrick St Showgrounds venue since 1907, Katrina said.

Children’s entertainer Billy Black was coming from Waitomo with his Kiwi Culture Show, and would be sharing the story of New Zealand's pioneering and farming history in an interactive and entertaining way, before and after the Grand Parade at 1.30pm.

For older children, Bucky the Bucking Bull would be in the PGG tent, along with the House of Bricks for the Lego lovers, and Pedalmania, offering a taster for those keen to try riding “crazy bikes”, Katrina said.

The trade stalls had again been well supported by North Otago businesses, and spaces were mostly full.

“They’re an amazing lot of businesses that support us, and we’re really appreciative of it.”

Entries for the exhibits under the grandstand were still being processed but numbers were the highest they had been, with more than 2200 school exhibits, she said.

“That smashed our previous record of two years ago, which was just over 1900, and then we’ve got over 500 adult exhibits as well. So it will be stacked underneath the grandstand, absolutely stacked.”

Some of the entries in last year's exhibits under the grandstand. PHOTO: Supplied

The PGG Agrikids Challenge had $200 prize money up for grabs for first to third placegetters in two age groups - years 4-6 and years 7-8.

The terrier race was always popular, and the animal obstacle course - for any animal - had prizes for fastest dog, and fastest other animal, she said.

“So that’ll be pretty awesome as well.”

The organising committee was excited about running a "normal" show, after having to reduce last year’s to equestrian only with no crowd, due to Covid restrictions, Katrina said.

“Hopefully it’s going to be good weather. Weather makes a show, so fingers crossed.”

Mark Lawrence, the 2022-23 A&P Association president, said he hoped to see a big crowd come out and support the show.

“Hopefully the town gets behind us again. Ōamaru just seems to give and give and give to us, so it’s been really good.”

Car Show

A new event for the A&P Association this year was a Car Show the weekend following the annual show, on March 5.

It would run from 10am to 2pm, with an entry fee of $5 per adult, and all profits going towards supporting those affected by stroke, in the North Otago community.

Vehicle categories included muscle, hot rod, classic, vintage, other, bike, people’s choice and best in show. Prizes included a machine polish and ceramic coating valued at more than $1000, from SJ Detail, Katrina said.

This was the third time the association had tried to run the show, but it had previously been thwarted by Covid.

“The idea came from the Palmerston Car Show - my husband and I went to it because we’ve got a classic car, and thought, we can do this. We’ve got the grounds.”

She hoped cars would come from “all over”. Entrants would line up in the main ring, and hopefully create a bit of a spectacle, she said. 

There would be food and coffee available, and prize winners announced about 1.30pm.