Show Attractions 2026


Come and experience a day packed full of fun and entertainment for the entire family!

Make sure you don't miss the main events!

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Gates open at 8:00am

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Make sure you don't miss the main events! | Gates open at 8:00am |

‍Saturday 17th October 2026 | Equestrian 16th-17th October

Free admission for Children under 12 | General Admission $15.00 | Family Pass $40.00

  • A band performs on an outdoor stage decorated with hay bales, labeled 'Ellesmere Concert Band.' Several musicians are seated with instruments, and some are standing. Audience members sit and watch in front of the stage.

    Ellesmere Big Band

    Ellesmere Big Band will be entertaining the crowd on the main stage from 1:30pm.

  • Pop art style illustration of a vintage microphone with a comic book explosion background in yellow, red, and black.

    Selwyn's Got Talent | Sponsored by Full Monty's

    Osborne Stage at 9:00am | www.fullmontys.co.nz

  • Country kids challenge showing kids running and jumping and having fun at the Ellesmere A&P show

    Country Kids Challenge

    Sponsored by Cochranes at 1pm in the cattle ring behind the pavilion

  • Flower vendor booth at an outdoor market with various flowers in buckets and potted plants, surrounded by tents and visitors.

    Craft & Retail Stalls

    A favorite pastime of show day is enjoying all the retail and shopping on offer! From hand crafted goods, to imported and exotic clothing, to hobby supplies, crafts, plants, outdoor furniture and so much more, don't forget to check out our great retail vendors on show day.

    Open all day.

  • A woman dressed in a floral dress with a sash and wearing a large pink paper flower hat stands on stage in a large white tent, performing or speaking, with an audience seated watching her. The stage is decorated with bunting and orange trees.

    Wearable Arts

    A fashion parade not to be missed in the HALTER Innovation Marquee, two shows at 11:00am and 1:30pm

  • People standing in line at a yellow food stand selling coffee and drinks, with a menu board and other snack stands in the background.

    Food & Beverage Vendors

    Food & Beverage Vendors throughout the show grounds

    Serving delicious food and beverages all day.

Other Attractions

Equestrian Showing, Working Hnter and Hunter Jumping - All day.

Animal Farm Yard full of baby farm animals, puppies, ducklings, rabbits, chickens, lambs and piglets and so much more. Don’t forget the famous live Eel tank full to the brim of our native long fin Eels.

Pony Rides beside the farm yard tent all day long!

Face Painting all day.

Needle in the Hay Stack for young children. Find the needle in the hay and win a prize. Runs all day by the farm yard.

Side Show Alley come and check out our new rides, every kid’s favourite place.

Dog Trials a fantastic spectacle watching these incredibly intelligent dogs manoeuvring stubborn sheep around a set course in the fastest time possible. A traditional favourite for young and old. Starts at 8:00am and runs all day, behind the members’ car park, don’t miss it!

Shearing come and see some of the best shearers around effortlessly peel the wool off the sheep’s back with incredible concentration, ease and speed. Shearing is one of the most difficult show sports out there and it always draws a large crowd.

Wood Chopping Top New Zealand champions come from around the country competing in, under arm, overhead, tree climb and sawing events. Don’t forget the Women’s chop, not to be missed! These competitors are true athletes.

Arts & Crafts over 100 stalls selling and displaying everything from Silk scarves to the latest in computer and phone technology.

Food Stalls not just the children’s favourites of candy floss, popcorn hot dogs and Mr Whippy but also an amazing selection of cuisine is on offer for the foodie in all of us, including pastries, home butchery small goods, desserts and delicatessen style food.

Trade if you’re looking to buy a new ride-on mower, motor bike or garden power tool head on over to the industrial trade sites to chat to the experts and try before you buy!

Vintage Cars & Machinery a blast from the past, come and see how your ancestors did it with traction engines and the Clydesdale horses.

Highland Dancing on the Highland Dancing stage in the morning.

Grain and Seed Displays – in the sheds.

Wool Displays in the tent next to the sheep pens.

Cut Flowers, Home Cooking & Needle Work on display in the produce sheds.

School Classes Arts & Crafts on display in the produce sheds.

Historical Society Display come and see the local history in the Stephens shed.

Sheep, Cattle, Goats, Pigs, Donkeys and Poultry a vast selection of the finest animals on display by some of our best animal breeders, on show all day.

Photography Competition on display in the Stephens shed all day.

Smoke on the Lake BBQ Competition in the BBQ area, enjoy the smoke and the aroma.

Down the Wire Fencing Competitions – Youth and Professional classes.

Become a member. Support your local community and become a member of the Ellesmere A&P Association.

For PAYMENTS prior to  25th September 2026 : Receive a double pass to this year’s event for just $20.00.

Other benefits include preferential membership parking and discounted entry fees for show day exhibitors in some competitions.

Membership

Thank You to our Sponsors