The much-awaited Hawke's Bay A and P Society book, authored by long-time member Ewan McGregor, will be launched at a function attended by up to 500 people ahead of the 150th anniversary show next month.
The function will be held in the President's Marquee at the Showgrounds in Hastings on October 17, starting at 5.30pm.
Mr McGregor will speak, along with president Rob Pattullo. Historical writer Michael Fowler will also speak, connecting the history of the show with the wider community and social fabric of Hawke's Bay.
Society manager Brent Linn this week compared Hawke's Bay on Show with Lt Col Bell's 1993 history traversing the first 120 years. He described the earlier record as the historical "tome" and the new publication - broken out as it is in a modern format of segments and tales - as the "coffee-table" book.
It traces developments from early European arrivals and steps by first president Donald McLean in the 1850s to encourage farmers to join forces in an organisation that would assist them in identifying and importing superior stock.
