''One of the best shows for decades,'' was how North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association president Bryce Burnett described the two-day event held on Friday and Saturday.
That was because it was celebrating 150 years, attracting record entries in some sections, above-average crowds on Friday and to the Friday night carnival, and an outstanding turnout for show day on Saturday.
Mr Burnett was at the showgrounds on 5.30am on Saturday, to open up for exhibitors and those with horse floats.
Because of the high number of horse entries, extra parking for floats ran out. More was found, which limited parking on the showgrounds.
''It's a great crowd,'' Mr Burnett said on Saturday afternoon, when the weather was sunny but cool enough to be comfortable.
''I'm amazed. I can't get over it.''
The show boasted attractions to suit everyone.
One of the most popular attractions was the Vetlife tent where children could see baby animals, including kittens, pups, ducks, a pig, goat, miniature pony and foal, and chicks. Many children also played an active role as exhibitors, with pet calves and lambs to craft and baking in the home industries sections.
Four Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand medals, usually restricted to royal shows, were awarded.
One was to Ele Tonkin, of Weston, a regular exhibitor, for her ''best in show'' for home industries - recreating in detail and colour the 150 years show logo on a decorated cake.
The others went to Roger Caird (Timaru), whose border Leicester won the award for top sheep in the show and the Fulton Memorial Cup; Felicity Penno (Seadown) with Tuxedo Park, supreme hack champion, and Roger and Susan Hayward (Albury), whose Angus cow and calf combination was supreme champion in the cattle section.
Groups took the opportunity to raise funds, including women from the Maheno Otepopo Presbyterian Parish. They provided lunch, morning and afternoon teas in the dining room, with the profit going to its fortnightly children's after-school programme in the Maheno Hall.
For those who missed the show, the North Otago Museum has an interactive exhibition, celebrating the 150 years of the North Otago A&P Association, which will run until August 2. The exhibition tells the story of the association and has hundreds of show photographs taken in the 1960s and 1970s, prize medals, trophies, ribbons and certificates.
