Kumeu Show returns March 9 and 10

The 100th Kumeu Show in March last year was a great success and had the best show attendance ever with more than 25,000 people at the Kumeu Showgrounds during the two days.

The weather contributed to this big attendance, says Kumeu Agricultural and Horticultural Society Show Secretary Lizelle Westman.

Much of what featured at the centennial show will be back for this one with “Dobbo” continuing as show master of ceremonies, Mahons Amusements carnival rides and events, entertainment featuring The Brendon Ham Band with Marion Burns, Clydesdale rides, woodchopping, shearing, sheep dog trials, archery, pony rides, fire brigade demonstrations, an FMX display, a strongman competition, professional wrestling demonstrations, dog agility displays, a tractor parade both days at noon, and plenty of giveaways.

Annual competitions include school calf club, pet lambs and goats, equestrian, and poultry.

The woodchopping starts with a minute’s silence to remember world champion Jason Wynyard who died of cancer in October last year aged 49. A regular at the show, Jason was nine times world champion and a Stihl Timbersports “Titan” who last year became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to woodchopping in the New Year Honours.

He was diagnosed in May last year with advanced Burkitt Lymphoma – a rare form of lymphatic cancer.

A timetable of all show events will be available on the show website www.kumeushowgrounds.com in the week leading up to the 101st show.

More than 200 trade bookings have been received with more expected.

Show visitors can take a picnic lunch or enjoy fare from a variety of food trucks, while a garden bar with music is available too.

Indoor events include an arts and crafts competition and displays with entries from pre-school age, fruit, flowers, and photos.

Meanwhile, general online tickets for the March 2024 show are at Kumeu Show 2024 Tickets, Kumeū | Eventbrite costing $15 for those 14 years and over with no charge for under 14s. Tickets bought from the gate on show days are $20 a person for those 14 years and over.

Ample free parking is available and traffic management will be in place.

Sponsorship and trade options are available, contact info@kumeushow.co.nz for more information.

Lizelle suggests show visitors with young children should write a parent/caregiver phone number on their arm in case they get lost.

Sunscreen is available at the Kumeu Show Information Tower near the society offices.

Gates are open 8.30am-5pm Saturday March 9 and 8.30am-4pm Sunday March 10.

A time capsule which includes a Kumeu Courier February 2023 copy with cover photo of society President Jane Sparnon and Lizelle for the 100th Kumeu Show has been buried securely nearby.

It also includes letters from two Huapai District School pupils about their lives and what they like to do such as using their smart phones.

Old photos (including some from 1962), The Weekly News from 1920, a history of the Kumeu A and H Society and show, an early showgrounds photo, show ribbons, coins, COVID-19 tests and masks, and other memorabilia are featured in the time capsule which may not be unearthed for another century.

Pictured readying the time capsule for December burial are Jane Sparnon and Junior Vice President Monte Neal.