Everyone will get something out of attending the Methven A&P Show, president Ben Streeter says.
The show on March 15, will be a chance to reconnect with other people in a fun-filled family environment.
It’s a day full of wholesome entertainment and activities.
Streeter has chosen the theme of Mid Canterbury – Feeding the World for this year’s 109th annual show .
It celebrated the diversity of produce grown, sourced or made out of Mid Canterbury ingredients. It also acknowledged the efforts of the producers.
Streeter said the show promised to be a great family day out, with lots to see and do. This ranged from equestrian events, sheep shearing, livestock, poultry and sheep dog trials to vehicle exhibitions, art precinct, produce and home industries, trade and retail sites, not to mention food and wine vendors and an onsite bar.
It was a chance for people to get off farm and reconnect with neighbours and others.
Streeter, an arable and dairy farmer in the area, said he drew inspiration for the theme from past president Adam Glass, who in 2020 chose ‘Eaten today? Thank a farmer’ to remind people where their food came from and the work undertaken to produce it.
It didn’t matter if it was meat or plant-based.
‘‘Mid Canterbury is a pretty special place, it literally feeds the world,’’ Streeter said.
Products included staples such as milk and bread, to beer and other items.
‘‘What can’t you get in Mid Canterbury?!’’
Streeter said the Methven show was a chance for the community to come together.
‘‘It’s probably one of the most important days in the Methven community,’’ he said.
‘‘Anyone can come and everyone will get something out of it. Literally.’’
New at the show will be sheep milking demonstrations and chainsaw sculpting demonstrations by chainsaw artist ‘A.D’ of Little Tree Productions. The completed pieces will be auctioned at the end of the day.
The popular ute muster and art precinct displays were returning with some ‘‘unbelievable’’ works on show by local artists, Streeter said.
There would also be plenty of afternoon entertainment with a tug of war, gumboot throwing, sheaf tossing, a ute tug of war, and a type of human rodeo all set to take place after the grand parade.
‘‘There’s a human tug of war, so it would be great if people got teams together for that,’’ Streeter said.
Anyone, aged 18 and over, can enter. The Foothills Young Farmers members will be co-ordinating the events and taking entries from in the bar area, he said.
The show would feature a range of activities and entertainment to suit young and old, as well as the usual components of an A&P show.
Children could attend the show free of charge and enjoy complementary pony rides, the sheep colouring competition, animal petting shed, face painting and balloon twisting.
ESSENTIAL INFO: Methven A&P Show at the Methven showgrounds, 54 Barkers Rd, Methven on Saturday, March 15, from 8am to 5pm. Tickets are available on the day at the gate. Adult entry is $20 and children are free. More details on the Methven A&P Association Facebook page.
