Magic abounds at Carterton A&P show

FUN: Show secretary Lynley Hamilton with a basketful of ginger bread men, one of many exhibits in the Home Industries section.

Show weekend in Carterton is going to be magic, in more ways than one.

Along with hosting free magic shows on a stage by the hockey turf at Clareville Showgrounds hypnotist/magician Nigel Kennedy and Brent Jupp have been flat out this week promoting a new innovation for the show which is sure to gladden the hearts of many schoolchildren, five in particular.

The duo have been visiting primary schools from Pahiatua to Pirinoa handing out special discovery trail maps to pupils.

Bringing the map to the secretary's office during the show will see staff stamp the maps and hand over a goodie bag to each child valued at $25.

Inside will be free tickets to side show rides, a food voucher from the Lions caravan, a $10 starter savings voucher courtesy of WBS and " little treats".

But, it gets better. The kids then go on a hunt for six specified sites included on their maps and once they have got a stamp from each venue they pop the completed map into an entry box.

From the multiple entries five sponsored prizes will be drawn.

These will be a bicycle, a family pass to Pukaha Mt Bruce, a Wings over Wairarapa family pass, wet weather gear and a child's archery set.

The school that succeeds in getting the most pupils to the show having been judged on a pro rata basis will receive a laptop worth $1500 and a $300 boost to school funds.

Entry to the night show tomorrow will be free and two Grand Parades are to be held at this year's show.

The livestock Grand Parade will be held at 2pm on Saturday and a machinery Grand Parade will be held on Sunday with the same starting time.

A feature of the show as far as vintage machinery is concerned will be the stationary baler, a piece of machinery used in yesteryear that required farmers to bring the hay to the baler where it was forked in and then baled.

Pahiatua Railcar Society is putting on a railcar to bring patrons to the show and will run excursions from Clareville during Saturday.

The show will also feature woodchopping and shearing competitions, a Wairarapa Poultry and Pigeon Club pavilion, a pets corner and improved public access to pig judging.