Sponsored: A great day out for everyone

Marlborough A&P Show brings community together for 152nd time with fresh offerings.

Evan Tuchinsky

In a region steeped in cherished traditions, the Marlborough A&P Show stands alone with how it brings people together.

Saturday, for the 152nd time, the Marlborough A&P Association welcomes visitors from near and far to its grand facility in Blenheim. Even the hardy attendees who arrive when the gates open at 7:30am and stay through close at 4pm should find themselves spoilt for choice, given the eye-opening array of exhibitions, entertainment, and eats.

“It’s where town meets country,” says Association Secretary Alice Parkinson, managing her third Marlborough A&P Show. “It’s a day full of family-friendly activities and events, at $10 for adults and free for children under 16, making it a great day out for everyone.”

The single-day fair features 100 trade sites – all the spots sold out! – and a food alley bustling with chefs and baristas, tempting the taste buds. A tent for Boom Town beer and Two Rivers wine makes its debut, as do several new categories in livestock contests. Along with popular amusement rides, guests can enjoy a packed lineup of displays, performances and competitions.

Equestrian and Dog Trials are so robust that they commence a day earlier, Friday.

“It’s an event for our community that brings our community together,” Alice says. “People bring their pets, they bring their animals. It’s about making it fun for people.”

History
The Marlborough A&P Association formed in 1876. Then known as the Marlborough Agricultural Association, the founding members decided to concentrate their organization on one good show a year.

They started with a 2.4-hectare property on Maxwell Road; by the 50th anniversary, they expanded the showgrounds by acquiring Hull’s Paddock and the Alabama Hotel at the corner of Maxwell and Alabama Road.

The 1920s also brought the iconic brick and iron gates, the main grandstand and the Sheep Pavilion – all landmarks with classifications from the Historic Places Trust.

Heavy impacts from World War II prompted cancellation of the shows in 1942 and 1943. Yet, by 1950, the Marlborough A&P Association was stronger than ever and capped the decade with the Centennial Show in 1959 marking 100 years since Marlborough’s founding.

The Association celebrated its Centennial Show in 1972. Another milestone moment came in 1974, when Parliament passed the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Act which transferred the property’s deed and title to the Association.

A&P Park became an official recreational reserve the next year, 1975. Facilities continued to improve, and the Association held the 150th Marlborough A&P Show in 2023.

“For many farmers and other people,” Alice says, “it’s a regular on the events calendar.”

Highlights
The event itself continues to evolve. Saturday marks the second year the Marlborough A&P Show spans a single day. Thousands of attendees and hundreds of participants embrace this schedule.

Highlights abound – too many for a comprehensive list. The pig competition is back. The sheep competition incorporates a Battle of the Districts into the Best Sheep Team event. The cattle competition has a new Junior Beef Stock Handler category encompassing an under-10 class and an 11-18 class.

This year is a Royal Event for the Creative, Handmade and Student Section which moves to a prominent spot in front of the pavilion, next to the Equestrian ring – the location for Saturday’s Show Jumping. The amusement area returns, of course, with rides and fun for all ages.

Other family draws include performances by Six Strings Music Academy, starting at 10 am, fand musical duo Free the Girl duo, following at 2pm; Walnut Ranch’s petting zoo; Marlborough Vintage Machinery Society’s display; and Best Pet, Best Sausage and Harcourts Young Farmer competitions.

But wait, there’s more: competitions for gift sheep, wool, shearing and wood chopping; the terrier race; the Grand Parade; and entertainment all day from the Wonderful Wilburys.

Mayfield Motorworld, PGG Wrightson and Bayleys Marlborough are this year’s main Show sponsors. Tyreland Blenheim, Rose Ag Ltd and Vetlife are Silver and Bronze sponsors. Other firms join in as section sponsors.

“Many local businesses support us,” Alice notes, “and we’re very grateful for all the support we get from local businesses. There really is a community aspect, that we try to pull the whole community together to showcase what Marlborough is all about.”

Tickets are available for pre-purchase online here.

The main entrance is through the gates on Maxwell Road. For additional information, check the Show Information page on the Marlborough A&P Association website here.

Alice proffers this invitation: “Make a day out of it and enjoy everything we have on offer!”