A pillar of the Rai Valley events calendar will not go ahead for the first time since World War II more than 70 years ago.
The Rai Valley A&P Show has been held on the first Saturday in March since its inception and, after breaking for the war, has run every year since 1947 rain or shine.
This week the committee made the ‘heart-breaking’ decision to cancel the show due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Rai Valley Show secretary Andrea Pilcher says it was a disappointing decision to make, but the right one.
“It was tough, we thought about postponing but when the covid levels are so uncertain, even with the 4pm announcement today that’s only 14-16 hours before our show is meant to begin.”
She says since the cancellation announcement, some of the entrants have sent her photos of hand-made creations that were to be entered into the show.
“Kids have made all sorts of crafty things, people have grown 100kg+ pumpkins, and decorated amazing cakes, that’s what makes it even more disappointing.”
She says the reason the show is so popular with Nelson, Marlborough and even visitors from the North Island is that they have remained a cheap, fun, family day out, that shys away from commercialisation and keeps country values at its core.
Andrea says the cancellation will leave the show roughly $15,000 out of pocket, which could leave it in jeopardy for next year, but she believes the community will rally to ensure the show continues.
She will spend the next month organising refunds and completing paperwork for entrants.
“After a great show you don’t mind doing the paperwork afterwards, but this year, there’s been four months prep and wihtout the show going ahead another month to finish it all off.”
