Gate Charges

Adult $15.00
Children 14 years and Under - Free
Thank you to TSB Community Trust for the generous donation.

 Tickets available on the day or pre purchase by clicking below.

   

Stratford A & P Show 2018 - Editorial

Royal Event Equestrian

Stratford A & P Association host a 2018 Royal Event Equestrian on behalf of Royal Agricultural Society of NZ this year.  The three day competition includes Show and Breed classes, Show Jumping and Hunter and Western Riding. The 2018 Royal Event Equestrian schedule has 553 classes within sections where the exhibitor can choose to compete with their horse or pony.

Kids Fun Spot

Super excited that come show weekend, rain, hail or shine ☀, we will have an AMAZING ginormous marquee to keep us safe from the elements, whatever they may be. 
Be very hard to miss the Kids Zone with this bad boy.... all thanks to the “The Trusts Community Foundation”.

The kids are going to love our extra special guests Little Pony Parties! Morph face painting! Magic Works with Josh! plus many games and activity free to the children thanks to Tag Oil, Horizons Energy and Symons Transport.  Come join the fun for your chance to also receive a spot prize. Watch facebook.com/kidszone2018show for updates of activity.

Taranaki Toughest Fire Fighter

The Taranaki toughest fire fighter competition is back, bigger and stronger. See these men and women compete in the event which consists of lift and carry a 70mm bandoleer hose up a 3 storey scaffold, pull up a rescue line using a hand over hand tactic, run back down hit a kaiser machine, run an obstacle course, pick up a charge hose and drag a dummy.  On Sunday the kids fire fighter fitness challenge will be held.

 Central North Island Wajax Competition

 This competition is new to Stratford Show this year.  These rural fire fighters bring the Wajax competition, a four person team, timed in three events, 1 Standard Wajax run, 2 Replacement length wajax run, 3 Replacement length tohatsu run.   Sunday will be the kids day.

 Clydesdale Horses

To keep the horse show theme, Steve Muggeridge from Wairarapa with his five horse Clydesdale team will be giving free wagon rides on Sunday at the show.  The team will be competing against other Clydesdales in the Clydesdale classes on the Saturday. 

Music Medley

Live music all day, a wide range of Taranaki’s premier acts, ranging from acoustic originals through to rocky covers. The line-up includes the following artists, Serious Happiness (4 piece rock band), Feelgood Beatdown (3 piece rock band), Gypsy Blue (trio) Dan Marks, Ian Wallace, Emily Riordan, Liana Hart, Rory MacDonald, Crystal Star. Come listen to the sounds while chill out and enjoy foods from many cultures.

Taranaki Shears

Taranaki Shears is being hosted by Stratford A & P Show for the first time.  The change from a March event to November will make the competition available to many overseas shearers.  Always popular entertainment, come see 60+ shearers in action Saturday only.

Taranaki Axeman

Wood chopping competition is back with team events, singles and doubles in standing and underhand chopping and sawing races over the 2 day event at the Stratford A & P Show. All events are great to watch but the Tree Championship is one not to be missed and will be run as two heats, chopping will start around 11am and 1pm with the final event being held on Sunday around 1pm. Also the Brian Herlihy Memorial 300mm Open Standing will be another event not to miss, this will be held Saturday around 2pm.

Vintage Machinery

The vintage machinery and Military vehicles will also be on display.

Lamb, Goat (Kid), Piglet

A fun event for the children, bringing pets to the show for judging of Leading and Dress Up. Open to all children under the age of 14 years, age as at show day.  Email the show office on stratfordshow@xtra.co.nz for entry form.

 General

 Show committee president Ian McCaul said “the association is delighted with the turnout in recent years, with people coming from all over Taranaki for the 109 year-old event.”

“Many urban people, don’t have so much to do with rural life these days. Urban kids live in a different world, with so much on, and technology a big part of their lives, and it’s great to see them experience rural activities.”

“We aim to cater for everyone, for the children, attractions such as McDonald Farm Barn and Kids Zone, teenagers love the rides, adults enjoy the trade and craft exhibits and farmers enjoy the animal competitions.”

“Getting a fine day for the show is all important, fingers are crossed,” added Ian.

 

Show secretary Vicki Jagersma says “this event is only a success with the support of many volunteers and thanks goes to the committee, judges, stewards, recorders and many others for their efforts. Thank you also to all our sponsors.” The show opens on Friday November 23 with equestrian events, and the big public days are on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November from 9am to 4pm.

History

For over 100 years Taranaki folk of all ages have flocked to the Stratford A&P showgrounds under the mountain to enjoy the annual show and its wide range of attractions.

In the early days, dressed up the nines, they walked, rode on horseback and arrived in gigs and drays for one of the big events on the Taranaki calendar. Farmers, townsfolk and kids of all ages were drawn to a social event that drew people by their thousands.

With the advent of the motorcar numbers increased and today, despite the huge range of other social activities on offer, the show still pulls in huge crowds.