John Hawkins/Stuff

Southland A&P Show officials Vic and David Sinclair help set up for the big event on Saturday.

Vic Sinclair has gone from anexhibitor to avolunteer to help ensure the future of theSouthland A&P Show.

After Sinclairand her children exhibited for the first timein2018, she and husband David decided to become more involved with the show.

"Events like the show can only be run by committed volunteers ... you get a lot of satisfaction from volunteer work," Vic said.

"We want the show to have a future so our kids can participatein it.

"It's something our kids can connect to and it links to the agricultural roots of Southland."

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The Sinclairs are marshalls for the entertainment and tradesections, while David is also vice-president for the 152nd show in Invercargillon Saturday.

John Hawkins/Stuff

Southland A&P Show committeemen - Noel Hamilton (50 years' service) left, Graham Calder (35) and Owen Anderson (42) - have been officials of the organisation for a combined total of 127 years.

Entertainment and business/trade displayswere sections of the show identified as expansion areasin a 2018 strategic report. The report was commissioned by the show executive.

A new marketing approachlast year saw an increase in business/trade displays, craft stalls, live musicandperformances. Numbers are high again this year and forthe first time,a lifestyle block section will be operating.

Show president Paula Bell said the report provided important information to future proofingthe annual event. It helped attract about 5000 people last year and she expecteda similar number, if not more,with fine weather on Saturday.

Meanwhile, long serving committeemen Noel Hamilton (50 years), Graham Calder (35) andOwen Anderson (42) have contributed to the showfor a total of 127 years.

"The show gives town families a touch of the country ... it lets them see what we do," Hamilton said.

Hamilton and Calder are sheep marshalls and the latter is sometimes surprised by children's comments.

"You talk to them [and somesay] they've never been up close to a sheep before," Calder said.

John Hawkins/Stuff

A caterpillar made out of hay bales, positioned at the entrance to the Southland A&P Show's venue in Invercargill, is part of the marketing for the event on Saturday. Show president Paula Bell is with Kurt Wilson who painted the caterpillar.

He and another breeder jointly owned the ram that was last year'sSupreme Champion Sheep. A ram, entered solely by Calder, won the title in 2016.

"I'd been trying for 40 years to win it and I got it.

"It makes it worthwhile when you get the top prize."

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