Bringing The Country To Town This Easter

For immediate release
Monday 30 March 2009

Bringing The Country To Town This Easter

On from Thursday 9 to Monday 13 April at the ASB Showgrounds, Auckland, this year’s Royal Easter Show is going back to its roots with a distinctly country line-up reminiscent of its beginnings as an A&P show 166 years ago.

Action-packed and funny, the new Buffalo Bill and the Wild West Show has everything you could want in a Western. Cowboys, shoot outs, horses and even a bank robbery, adults will love this show just as much as kids.

New Zealand’s Got Talent finalist Chelsea Marriner and her star dogs will wow audiences with their array of impressive tricks. Chelsea, 17, has been working with dogs since she was a toddler, and with her dogs has also won Wonder Dogs and performed at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park.

The first ever Bullfight MecaNZa will be the ultimate test of metal on metal. Two monster machines from AB Equipment will perform the ultimate mechanical bullfight in an animated battle of grace, precision and power – a 21st century twist on a tradition dating back many centuries.

Befitting of a royal event, Her Majesty the Queen’s cow will be attending. Bred in Otorohanga on behalf of the Queen, the Jersey cow will be competing for honours in the A&P show on Thursday and Friday.

World-champion female lumberjack Shana Martin from the United States will cause a stir as she battles it out with the blokes from Kiwi Loggersports. Log-rolling since she was seven, Shana is the three times and current world champion women’s log roller and boom runner, as well as a fitness model, pole vaulter and gymnast.

While from Canada, world-champion speed climbers Stirling Hart and Scott Thompson will show just how fast a human can fly up and down a 60-foot pole.

New interactive activities at the ASB FarmZone give kids the chance to get up close to farm animals and learn how to milk a cow and make butter.

The A&P competitions and judging see top breeding animals competing for honours and calf club and pet lamb sections for kids. While an expanded equestrian schedule at neighbouring Alexandra Park involves breeds ranging from Arabians to Shetland Ponies to Miniature Horses.
An all-new circus the ZM Circus Extreme features high flyers, jugglers and cheeky clowns in the Big Top, and live stage shows the Cadbury International Magic Show and New Zealand’s very own super-group for kids the Funky Monkeys are on in the Logan Campbell Centre.
Also new, the ever-popular carnival will be open until midnight Thursday with a $30 super pass buying unlimited carnival rides between 8.30 and 11.30pm.

Royal Easter Show representative John Robertson has some tips to help make the day a great success:

* Arrive early to avoid the crowds. Programmes are available from the information kiosk with show times, a full schedule, map and everything else you need to know.

* On arrival go straight to the Circus Ticket Box on the main arena to book your free circus tickets.

* Drink plenty of water and eat to keep your energy levels up. As well as usual stalls, there are healthy options available.

When: Thursday 9 to Monday 13 April, 9am-9pm (closes 6pm Monday). Carnival open until 11.30pm Thursday.

Where: ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane West, Auckland. Parking available in the adjacent Puriri Drive Football Fields.

Cost: Entry is $38 for a family of five (including two adults), $18 adult, $12 senior citizens and students, $6 child (2-12yrs) and free for under-2s. All shows and attractions, excluding the carnival rides, are included in the entry price at no extra cost.

New this year, a $30 per person super pass buys unlimited carnival rides between 8.30 and 11.30pm on the Thursday.

Info: For more information, visit www.royaleastershow.co.nz or phone 09 638 9969.

ENDS

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