MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 8 November 2013

For immediate release

Country Comes to Town

Canterbury’s largest annual event is almost here. Organisers are expecting 100,000 people will make the annual pilgrimage to the 2013 Canterbury A&P Show in Christchurch from Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 November to see more than 3000 animals, close to 6000 competitive entries, fabulous food and wine and heaps of free family entertainment.

Animals are the cornerstone of the Canterbury A&P Show, since its inception in 1863, and Canterbury Agricultural Park, located south-west of Christchurch and only 6 kilometres from the centre of town, will house thousands of them for three days – it truly is when country comes to town.

60 tonnes of green feed (fresh grass) will be trucked in and consumed by animals during the Canterbury A&P Show with 300 medium squares of straw delivered to the grounds and used as bedding for animals. Post-Show, 275 tonnes of straw and manure will be collected from the grounds and combined with the green waste from Christchurch homes which is composted and used on Canterbury farms.

The Canterbury A&P Show is the largest agricultural and pastoral show in the country with 1700 showing classes across 12 sections held throughout the three days of the Show. In addition to showing success, exhibitors and competitors will be vying for over $100,000 in prize money, 4000 prize ribbons and 250 trophies.

“The Canterbury A&P Show is all about tradition. We have families who attend each year as Show visitors and generation after generation of showing enthusiasts who eagerly anticipate the showing season and take pride in exhibiting and competing against the very best of the best. With international judges as well as top national judges, we’re expecting a bumper year of competition in the showing rings. Whether you are rural or urban, the Canterbury A&P Show is a unique experience and one not to be missed” commented Canterbury A&P Association President Mark Fleming.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY – The animals are on their way…

Animals start to descend on the showground’s from this weekend, in preparation for the Canterbury A&P Show. Dairy and beef cattle in particular will be settling in, giving animals time to familiarise themselves with the grounds and ensure they are in top form for the showing rings on Wednesday morning.

ENDS

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