Lake Hayes Show expected to attract close to 5000
Prize sheep will be sweating it out in pens, there’ll be farm machinery galore, quirky races and candy floss faces, the agricultural smells of hot scorched grass and the odd hint of dung wafting in the air.
It’s the Whakatipu’s big Kiwi day out – the Lake Hayes Agricultural & Pastural Show at the Lake Hayes Showgrounds on 13 January.
In another tough year when financial pressures have been starting to bite the show’s theme will be mental health in the rural sector, local A & P Society president Kate Hamilton says. Rural Support Trust ambassador Matt Chisholm - ex Celebrity Treasure Island TV frontman-turned farmer, will be roaming the grounds connecting with the rural community and addressing the crowds from the stage.
“We’re desperately excited to have Matt to open up that communication, what with wool and sheep prices there are a lot of struggling farmers and mental health is being affected,” Hamilton says. “Life pressures are hard. Rural people are cracker people, the backbone of this community. They know the environment, the land, and way the town has changed that land around them,” she says.
“We want to communicate with rural people from farms as far as Clyde and inland, beyond Glenorchy and isolated high-country stations across the water to tap in and make sure everybody’s ok, let them know we care.”
Delicious homemade chutneys and jams and beautiful fresh garden flowers will adorn the pavilion with judging kicking off the evening before. Nadia Lim will give a cooking demonstration and her Royalburn Station team will also be providing delicious food. There’s even a bar this year.
Sheep shearing, farmyard, children’s entertainment, equestrian events, and trade hubs will be dotted about the fairgrounds and the Hobby Horse Race is sure to attract a good crowd to the main arena.
Prime sheep and other animals will be on display ready for the judges’ critique in the hunt for ‘Champion Overall Stock’ and the best fleeces in the land will vie for trophy honours in the wool tent.
Hamilton herself is a National Royal Agricultural Society equestrian judge, who travels the country judging at rural shows and events. “We are very blessed to have such a beautiful, picturesque setting for this show and it’s always so well put together. It’s a prestige thing to come and I’m chuffed to now be president of such an amazing event.” She says there’s been a lot of work gone into organising the show by many wonderful volunteers as red tape and regulations get tighter.
The new working hunter equestrian class will require horses to demonstrate the ability to jump over three fences.
In the home industries section, they’ll be searching out the ‘funniest looking vegetable’, and the best ‘arrangement’ based on the song title, ‘Red, Red Wine’ by UB40.
There’ll be a tug of war and lolly scrambles for the kids and the local Search and Rescue helicopter will be parked up, while on call.
“This year we’re encouraging people to bike to the show along the bike trails, use park and ride, or catch the free park and ride bus from Alec Robins Road to free up parking along the State Highway,” Hamilton says.
The local A & P Committee is expecting a record crowd of 4750 this year with the gates, manned by local scouts, cubs and keas, opening at 8am. Entry is $15 for adults, kids free.
