MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 5 June 2012
For immediate release

150 Days to 150th Show

Sunday 17 June marks the beginning of a 150 day countdown to the 150th Canterbury A&P Show.

Newly elected Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association President Richard Lemon will see the Association into its 150th year. “With 149 Presidents before me I am humble to lead the Association into such an important year. When the Association celebrated its Centennial Show in 1962 it was heralded as a splendid finish to the first Century of the Association’s existence, without question the best Show they ever had. I am confident that with the support of the region we can surpass this in 2012 and truly celebrate 150 years of showing in Canterbury” commented Lemon.

Initiatives to celebrate the 150th Anniversary include the release of a commemorative book charting the history of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association and annual Show. Freelance writer Rosa Shiels has been commissioned to write the book, combining oral histories and historical archives to tell the story of the Association and the people who are an integral part of its history.

“The Association…has retained many of its historic Show catalogues, books and self-published journals, and members of the A&P have delved into their family archives and delivered up memories and precious photos, carefully saved clippings and trophies as well as tall tales and true to contribute to the book, without which it would be merely a collection of data. The story of the Canterbury A&P Association is the story of the rural people of Canterbury, who have shared their successes, knowledge and bounty with the city people of this region every year at Showtime for the last 150 years” said Shiels.

‘When Country Comes to Town’ is due for release at the 2012 Canterbury A&P Show in November. Other merchandise released to celebrate the Anniversary includes a Commemorative Whisky, distilled, blended and bottled in Scotland and a Commemorative Wool Tie. Association members will also have an opportunity to celebrate with a special Anniversary event planned prior to the 2012 Show.

“The focus of our celebrations is to recognise and reward those who have been loyal supporters of the Association and the showing movement over the years; enhance the pride of what has been achieved over the past 150 years whilst looking towards what will be achieved in the future” added Lemon.

Plans for the 2012 Canterbury A&P Show include a 150th Anniversary Display which will be open to the public with items from the Association’s archives as well as memorabilia collected from Association members and past exhibitors. A Commemorative Plaque will also be unveiled during the Show, signifying the milestone and acknowledging the support of the 150th Anniversary Patrons. Livestock and equestrian sections are also planning special extended schedules to celebrate the 150th Show including re-enacting classes from earlier years. Special events are also planned including a History of Horses Display and a replica Traction Engine Trade Site from the early 1900s. Full details will be available closer to the event.

This year’s 150th Canterbury A&P Show will be held Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 November at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch. The Canterbury A&P Show is the largest A&P Show in the country attracting 100,000 people, close to 7000 livestock and feature competition entries and 600 trade exhibitors.

-ENDS-

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