Rai Valley Show celebrates rural milestone
Canvastown’s Walter Jones, 4, is all focus as he heads for the finish line, possum in hand, during the popular Rai Challenge at the weekend’s Rai Valley A&P Show. Walter took home a spot prize for his efforts. Photo: Sara Hollyman.
Hundreds of Marlburians made the trip to Rai Valley on Saturday to celebrate the 90th Rai A&P Show.
A true agriculture and pastoral entertainment hub, the show had everything you’d expect plus a few welcome additions.
The coveted Rai Challenge was a big draw for both adults and children willing to take on the task of running the obstacle course.
In other years, adults have had to run the course carrying a pig on their back, but this year, the animal was substituted for a 20kg sack.
Children, however, had a selection of possums to choose to accompany them around the track.
Other highlights included cow milking demonstrations and Wairau Valley farmer Don Stuart with his working dog Charm herding a flock of Indian runner ducks through tunnels, slides and a seesaw.
The show offered competitions galore, with the Giant Pumpkin Competition a sight to behold. The winning pumpkin, an Atlantic Giant variety, weighed in at a whopping 104.5kg.
For 90 years the Rai Valley Show has offered a small glimpse into rural life and entertainment, and will continue to do so.
