Billie Le Gros (4) and Vera Brown (3) didn't let the rain stop their fun at the Stratford A&P Show on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Billie Le Gros (4) and Vera Brown (3) didn't let the rain stop their fun at the Stratford A&P Show on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Photo / Ilona Hanne
It was a case of four seasons in one show for the Stratford A&P show on the weekend, with sunshine on the Saturday changing to rain on the Sunday.
Image 1 of 69: The Stratford A&P Show 2024 took place on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1.
Stratford A&P Association president Paul Vanner said the changing weather didn’t seem to stop people coming out to enjoy all the show had to offer.
“The show goes on wet or fine. Saturday, being fine, saw the water cooler very busy and the sunblock applied. Sunday was more about the raincoat and gumboots, but still smiles galore as people were entertained and there was something for everyone.”
Over the weekend, 15,000 people came through the gates, he said, which is an increase on recent years.
It was “pleasing to see the whole community involved”, he said.
For the Anderson family, the A&P Show made for a great family day out.
Emma Anderson said she, her mother Sue, and Emma’s children Lila, 4, and Braedon, 6, made the drive from Whanganui on Saturday to explore the show.
“We’ve talked about coming for a couple of years, but each time we’ve had something else on and couldn’t make it. This year we were so pleased when we could not only make it, but had great weather too.”
The kids' zone was a hit with both children, she said.
“There was so much for them to do and try, so we kept heading back to the kids' tent in between doing the things mum and I wanted to do, like look at the stalls and see some of the animals in the show rings.”
While she and her mum enjoyed trying, and buying, some vodka from one of the stalls, the children thought the fairground rides were the best part, said Emma.
“Although after we spent a while in the farm barn, I think it’s a miracle we aren’t driving home with a pet rabbit as well as the vodka. Lila was quite keen on one.”
Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke took a break from manning the Stratford District Council tent at the show on Sunday morning, to head down to the show ring for a political competition.
A&P secretary Vicki Jagersma, Mayor Neil Volzke, Taranaki King Country MP Barbara Kuriger and the Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister of Agriculture, Mark Patterson, turned out for the celebrities' beef event on Sunday. Photo / Alyssa Smith
Volzke was pitted against Taranaki King Country MP Barbara Kuriger and the Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister of Agriculture Mark Patterson for the celebrities' beef event – in which the three politicians were challenged to lead a cow around the ring.
Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke led a beef cow around the ring during the town celebrities' event. Photo / Alyssa Smith
It was harder than it might look, Volzke reckoned, especially as his heifer was more interested in licking him than going for a walk around the show ring.
While both Volzke and Kuriger put their best foot, or hoof, forward in the competition, the eventual winner was Patterson.
Lauren Terril and Katrina Stead were enjoying exploring all the Stratford A&P Show had to offer on Saturday. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Over in Sideshow Alley, a steady stream of people of all ages turned up, hoping to have a go on some of the many rides and fairground games on offer.
Lauren Terril and Katrina Stead were all smiles as they enjoyed taking to the sky on the Hurricane ride. The friends said that as well as having a go on some of the fairground rides they were enjoying walking around, looking at the stalls and talking to some of the businesses there.
Jacob and Lachlan Ladd (3) were having plenty of fun on the bumper cars. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Jacob and Lachlan Ladd were having plenty of fun as Jacob took 3-year-old Lachlan for a spin in the dodgems, while the rest of the family watched on.
For cousins Reid Hearfield, 4, and Kaylee Perrett, 3, the chance to take a spin in the teacups was a drawcard, with the duo full of laughs and smiles as they spun around.
Cousins Reid Hearfield, 4, and Kaylee Perrett, 3, were having a whirl of a time on the popular tea cups ride in Sideshow Alley. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Ilona Hanne is a Taranaki-based journalist and news director who covers breaking and community news from across the lower North Island. She has worked for NZME since 2011.
