The Parikino Sports Day may be turning 85 this year, but it remains as vibrant and exciting as it was on day one in 1928.
On Saturday, March 2, the club will celebrate the milestone at the Shaw farm on Whanganui River Rd, 8.9km from SH4, and all are welcome to the party.
Long-time stalwart Donald Wickham, who was president for four decades, vividly recalls his first appearance as a competitor when he was a pre-schooler. He is now 66.
"Yeah, I was 4 when I first attended, and we used to ride sheep at that age. Now it's mainly horse sports, although being a real family day, we have plenty of activities for the kids, including carpet rides around the paddock towed behind a ute - it's a family festival day," Mr Wickham said.
Farming operations are traditionally put on hold for the day, so farmers, farmhands and shepherds can compete in a variety of land-based activities, mainly on horseback.