Highland dancing, wood chopping, farrier competitions, a farmyard petting area and some of the best bred sheep, cattle and goats in the land will be among the attractions at the 2012 Royal Show hosted by the Waikato A & P Association in October.

Show president Noel Smith says the association is delighted to have gained Royal Show status again for 2012 and the schedule is now open for entries.

'This is the second Royal A&P show in the North Island in seven years and will attract major interest from competitors and attendees from all over the North Island.” The show promises a combination of traditional A & P Show competitions alongside a range of new education and entertainment activities aimed to reconnect Hamilton to the rural sector in a modern and relevant fashion.

Family entertainment includes Highland dancing, stilt dancer, children's rides, calf club, Feast Waikato, sheep dog trials, sheep racing, livestock competitions, pony rides, schools show walk, farmyard, farriers competition and wood chopping world championships.

As part of the Friday focus on young people the Waikato A & P Association has launched a new schools' programme for primary and intermediate schools designed in conjunction with teachers and school principals. Schools receive an education workbook to allow teachers to use the show for many curriculum activities and this year the programme will be expanded upon to allow more hands-on experiences for the children.

The World Championship Wood Chopping competition, featuring the very best axmen from New Zealand and Australia competing in a range of events including standing and underhand wood chopping as well as single and two man saw and chainsaw events has been extended to two days and relocated to a more user-friendly area for maximum audience viewing.

The Waikato A & P Association will host the Royal A&P Show at Claudelands in Hamilton from Friday October 26 to Sunday October 28, from 9am to 4pm daily. To find out more and to obtain a schedule visit www.waikatoaandp.co.nz/ Entries close for A&P competitions on September 24.