Fun for all at Dannevirke A&P Show

Michael and Leslie Keeley about to ride on Sizzler.

While the agricultural and pastoral segments of Tararua operated, the spectators had some fun as the Dannevirke A&P Show provided non-stop entertainment.

On Friday evening a big crowd was attracted to Aotea Rugby Club's Speed Shear and an even bigger crowd was drawn to Mahoney Entertainment rides and games of skill.

Riley Stephenson is fascinated by the two-month-old rabbits.

There was a good range of thrill rides — the Hurricane and the Sizzler were most popular for teenagers while the Pirates of the Pacific ship, the Dragon Wagon, tea cups and bouncy castle catered for younger ones.

On Saturday the first stop for most with children was the Tararua Veterinary Service's Children's Zoo which featured rabbits, puppies, Monty the miniature horse, goats, guinea pigs, quail, poultry, sheep, a donkey and lots of other cute animals to "ooh and ah" at.

Will Hogan contemplates the number of quail eggs in the basket at the Children's Zoo.

There were interactive quizzes to get children involved and the SPCA had cute kittens for adoption.

Next door the Tararua Bird Club had its usual colourful display.

Jonah the kunekune pig scores a try after flattening the opposition.

For most of the day the Dannevirke Musos belted out their smooth sound on the stage, pausing to allow Billy Black Woolman to put on his show, telling about the breaking in of the land and the benefits of wool fibre.

The Dragon Wagon brought many thrills for the youngsters.

He had a number of activities involving locals, including sawing a log with a cross-cut saw, splitting totara with explosives to make posts and shearing a sheep with a set of shears powered manually by a crank handle.

Global entertainer Billy Black has Will and Summer Billing working well on the crosscut saw.

Star of his show was a kunekune pig called Jonah which responded to commands and even played a rugby game.

A large crowd collected to watch the terrier racing at 2pm in front of the grandstand, with 11 dogs competing for dog food sponsored by Farm Source. There was one slight scrap as heat two took place but the dogs seemed pleased to chase the "rabbit". The winner was Murray Johnson's Fern with her daughter Bella second.

The terrier race started well but some were a bit wayward.

Adjacent to the Home Industries pavilion was an army display from Linton Military Camp featuring a number of weapons used in the modern era, which was fascinating for the lads young and old.

Civil Defence was in the neighbouring tent to remind us that in addition to defence against humans, defence against nature's extremes is also vital.

Terrier Race prize winners from left: Erica Hindle and Spencer (3rd), Murray Johnson and Fern (1st), Lydia Burns and Bella (2nd).