Weather fails to dampen Dannevirke A&P show fun

Layla Coley with granddad Paul Anderson's encouragement plucked up courage to pat Nelson the donkey.

While persistent light drizzle dampened spirits a little on Saturday morning there were plenty of visitors entertained throughout the Dannevirke A&P Show's two days on February 1-2.

Friday evening and Saturday afternoon were the highlights for many teenagers and families as they rode the Hurricane, Sizzler, Rockin Tug and the Dodgems, many also winning teddies and other prizes through the games of skill.

The Hurricane had the riders screaming and whooping.

Children, parents and grandparents made a beeline for the Children's Zoo, especially in the drizzle, and were fascinated by the array of pets like Ruby the chestnut pony, Molly the Beardy with her three-week-old pups, Goatie the kid, Nelson the donkey, Rocky the heading dog, Apples the Pink Pig, numerous poultry, quail and guinea-pigs all put together by Tararua Vets.

Animals entertained in other ways with the annual terrier race drawing a large crowd and providing competitive racing.

The final of the terrier racing was a close-run thing.

This time hardly a dog showed interest in chasing another.

Kathy Foley's Zac which gets practice chasing rabbits and hares, won by a nose.
Sheep were also racing this year, with the Sheep N Show making the long journey from Warkworth in Northland to entertain the crowd.

Seven ewes with doll jockeys raced to be the first to the food, sporting names like Cardigan Bay, Roast Ram, and Phar Lamb.

Daimo was one of the bands which provided constant entertainment on the stage from 10am

An amusing banter quickly attracted a big crowd for each race.

How Does That Go Again DSSC Line Dancers and the Dannevirke Pipe Band were first to provide entertainment on Saturday morning and there was a constant flow of skilled musicians kept the sound going all day from the stage by the grandstand.

Fairy Mike Matthews was giving free sweets away to the Paton family Enrika, Stella and Enesa.

Lamborghini leads Ed Shearing and Mint Saucy in the sheep race.

Kathy Foley's Zak (left) was the terrier winner with Kate Renton's Diva second.