Planning is well underway for Katikati's A&P Show in February 2023. The show regularly draws large crowds from the Bay of Plenty region.

'Being a qualifier show for the country's premier equestrian event, the Horse of the Year, the Katikati A&P annually attracts strong competition in the pony and horse rings,” says Katikati A&P Association president Louellen Davies.

Other events at the show on February 5 include sheep racing, sideshows, wrestling, photography competition, chopping demonstration, a ladies and gentlemen hat competition, home industries, food vendors, vintage farm machinery and trade stalls.

As well as this year's event, Louellen and her committee are well into planning the centenary celebrations for Katikati A&P Show in February 2024.

'The first show was actually held 110 years ago in 1913 but the ‘non assembly' laws of World War II and, more recently, Covid pandemic lockdowns mean that the February show in 2023 will be our 99th,” says Louellen.

'The show is more than ‘just an event' – it is, and has always been, a celebration of our community.”

She says the organising committee is appealing to the wider Katikati community to look back through family history to uncover – and share – any photographs or memories from years gone by.

'Images and memories from past events will be a focal point of our centenary celebrations in 2024.”

If you have any photographs or stories of past involvement in the show, please contact Louellen Davies on 07 549 0067.

Katikati A&P Show is being held from 9am – 4pm on February 5, 2023 at the Uretara Domain, Katikati. Adults $5, school children $2, under 5 years free.