Town meets country on ag day

 

While there are lots of diverse activities to be enjoyed, the early Saturday crowd generally heads in the direction of the animals where calves, lambs, goats and pony rides occupy locals and out-of-towners alike with many reveling in their annual ‘farm’ experience.

Gala-goers trail along on the hayride followed by the inevitable itching, while others pat and scratch the kunekune pigs and feed them apples and laugh at their snuffling response.

Rural appetites satisfied, there’s hot dogs, plate smashing, and quickfire raffles for a chance of a win, and a constant queue at the cake stall, but the crowd gathers in numbers when the music starts for the kapa haka display and to roundly applaud the entrants competing in Mangawhai School’s Got Talent.

The weather gods again smiled, school teachers, pupils and helpers did a great job with the organisation and the result of their efforts was
a healthy $28,000 towards school funds.


 

Pictured with their bovine friends and competition ribbons are, from left, Cody Brunt, Alicia McDonald, Polly Games, Lexi Halloran, Tessa Ball and Tenaya Johnson in front.

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