With just over a week to go until the Wānaka A&P Show, hundreds of volunteers from local groups are gearing up to help the event run smoothly.

Wānaka A&P Show digital comms and event coordinator Penny Bell said the show’s group fundraising opportunities include groups managing the event’s seven gates. 

The show pays an hourly rate per person and the group is responsible for filling the schedule provided.

“The money raised over that scheduled time is donated directly to the club or group,” Penny said.

“The groups we have this year are the Rotary Club of Wānaka, Aspiring Gymsports, Wānaka Yacht Club, Wānaka Squash Club, Aspiring Rotary, Wānaka Swim Club, Community Networks, Lady Lions and the college 1st XV.”

Rotary Club of Wānaka member Mike Elliot, who is coordinating volunteers from the club, said 38 volunteers will volunteer at two gates for both days of the show - a total of 162 hours. 

The club “takes a lot of pleasure in helping to run one of the biggest events in Wānaka”, he said.

“Over 40 thousand people came to the show last year and this gives us a huge opportunity to be seen at the same time as helping the Upper Clutha A&P Society. 

“The club will benefit directly from the event by raising about $4000, which can then be channelled back into the local community in the form of grants and distributions – thus providing a win/win for all,” he said.

It seems it takes a village to help run the show. Wānaka 420 Sailors help organisers mark out all the trade sites in the lead-up to the event, and organisers offer trade sites free to local initiatives and non-profits.

“This year, we have six, including Our Place (WAI Wānaka), Life Education Trust, Sport Central and St John,” Penny said.

The Lady Lions are the show’s ‘Ask Me’ people and manage the horse gate, and Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College First XV cleans up the yards on Sunday.

Getting to the show

Penny emphasised the need for people attending the show to allow extra time to get to the event (which will take place on March 8-9).

“Due to the road works we have around town please allow extra time as there will be delays,” she said.

“We have two park-n-rides set up and bike parking available at Gate 1 and Gate 2.”

Find more information on getting to the show here.

PHOTO: Supplied