Royal connection for 2018 Hawke's Bay A&P Show

Jayden Huata, 2, from Perth, on the merry-go-round, at last year's show at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds in Hastings.

Celebrating the strong links between rural and urban life in Hawke's Bay is a key objective of the Hawke's Bay A&P Society's annual show.

The 155-year-old show, held every year in October, will this year again be honoured with the title Royal Show, making it the premier New Zealand A&P show.

A "Community Zone" had developed into a significant part of the event, a "dynamic and diverse" area of the show, said HB A&P Society general manager Brent Linn.

This year that zone would continue to grow, with the Hastings District Council again supporting it with a $22,000 donation from the Contestable Grants Fund.

The fund is distributed annually to groups developing or delivering a community service or project which fits with council's aim of "building a safe, liveable, sustainable community".

The council is profiling successful applicants from the 2017-18 grants round.

"The zone hosts, amongst other things, a community stage. It has a distinct local flavour, with local talent, bands and performers taking to the stage. Being able to offer this exposure to local entertainers is wonderful for the show, great for Hastings, and a fantastic experience for the performers themselves," said Mr Linn.

The stage will run throughout the two days of this year's show, on October 18 and 19.
The funding from the council will assist the non-profit society to spread the word locally about the show, with colourful street flags, banners and bunting.

"The show is part of the social fabric of our district and the wider region, and we want the community to join us in celebrating our rural roots," said Mr Linn.

The council's social and cultural development committee chairman, Malcolm Dixon, said the opportunity for the region's talented musicians to take the stage in front of tens of thousands of visitors had real value.

"The contestable fund is aimed at helping non-profit organisations develop community services and projects, including promoting participation in the arts. In Hastings we have some really talented musicians, all of whom started by playing to their community. This is our chance to help foster the next generation of talent."

The HB A&P Society is promising an excellent 2018 show, "with some exciting changes".

For more information on the show see: showgroundshb.co.nz/hawkes-bay-on-show.php
For more on the Contestable Grants Fund see: www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/hastings/community-development/grants/contestable-grants-fund