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The Kumeu Show, set in Auckland’s beautiful countryside, is a key event in New Zealand’s farming calendar.
It combines old-school farming methods with cutting-edge rural tech, bringing a burst of energy to this usually peaceful rural town.
At the Kumeu Show, families gather, farmers swap insights, and there’s a lot to enjoy.
Whether it’s carnival rides for the little ones, tasty food options, animal exhibits, or impressive machinery displays showcasing Kiwi farming, there’s something for all.
In this post, we’re taking a look back at our experience at the 2021 Kumeu Show and highlighting what stood out to us.
We’ll give you a glimpse of what makes this event unique.
Whether you’re a familiar face or checking out the Kumeu Show for the first time, join us as we share a day full of tradition, innovation, and community vibes.
The Kumeu Show
With over 500 stalls and a myriad of events, the Kumeu Show 2021 attracted over 20,000 visitors from all over the country.
Demonstrations of machinery highlighted the latest in agricultural technology, while traditional events such as wood chopping and sheep shearing celebrated New Zealand’s farming heritage.
Families flocked to the animal barns, where many children got to enjoy interacting with farm animals up close.
For the little ones, there were a range of activities designed just for them – from face painting to mini tractor rides.
The delicious aromas from the food trucks turned into a tasty experience, featuring local dishes and flavours from around the world.
We arrived at the Kumeu Show around 11 am, thinking we were ahead of the crowd.
It’s only when we arrived at the main entrance that we saw an ‘early bird’ sign that said ‘free rides from 10 am to 11 am.’
Bummer, just missed it!
The Market Stalls at The Kumeu Show
With the sounds of the carnival all around us, we made our way through the crowd, trying to resist the tempting aromas from the food trucks scattered throughout the Kumeu Showgrounds.
Doughnuts, chips, hot dogs, Danish ice creams – all our favourites were there.
We got caught up at the market stalls before we even made it to the amusement rides. It was a display of genuine craftsmanship and local skills.
Every stall told a different story, featuring handmade jewellery, intricate textiles, bespoke pottery, organic skincare products, and artisanal foods.
Local artisans showcased their work, with many products handcrafted using traditional techniques.
We were really impressed by the eco-friendly options, like reusable beeswax wraps and handwoven tote bags. The range of sustainable products was great.
My goodness, if we were to go through the stalls one by one, we would have been here all day long.
The variety of items for sale was extensive, much like a Sunday artisan’s market, but expanded to double or even triple the size.
Food Trucks
As we explored the Kumeu Showgrounds, we found ourselves surrounded by a mouthwatering blend of flavors from different corners of the globe.
Those delicious smells wafting through the air from the food trucks were impossible to resist.
If you’re a fan of sweets, you’d be in heaven with the smell of fresh doughnuts frying nearby.
And if you were in the mood for something a bit different, the Danish ice creams were simply irresistible – creamy, delicious, and topped with all sorts of indulgent goodies.
The classic hot dogs, with their variety of toppings, were a must-try, especially for those seeking a quick and hearty bite.
As we walked by, the fragrant spices from the Thai dishes drew us in, making our mouths water at the thought of rich curries and flavorful stir-fries.
And those soft, juicy dumplings were so good that people didn’t mind queuing up on this hot day.
After waiting about 40 minutes, we finally got our food and settled on a patch of grass nearby to enjoy our lunch.
We even spent $10 on a can of soda, all because our kids were jealous of the other kids drinking from those adorable unicorn bottles.
Machinery Demonstrations at the Kumeu Show
The Kumeu Show is famous for its machinery demos, offering a peek into farming and industrial mechanics.
Set in Kumeu’s beautiful countryside, visitors get to see a diverse range of equipment, from the latest farming tech to charming old-school machines.
Despite my limited knowledge of the equipment, the event’s fire brigade displays and tractor experiences were a massive hit with the crowd.
But nothing compared to the infectious joy radiating from children’s faces as they explored, rode, and photographed these impressive mechanical wonders.
Our 1-year-old was absolutely fascinated by the giant and somewhat unusual machinery on display at the Kumeu Show.
Shows and Competitions
At the core of the Kumeu Show are its beloved events and contests that celebrate New Zealand’s rich agricultural and cultural traditions.
Among these, two events particularly stood out for us.
The wood-chopping competition was a total crowd-pleaser that instantly drew everyone’s eye.
Axes swung in a mesmerising rhythm, and the excited cheers from competitors and onlookers filled the air.
Perfectly placed near the entrance and surrounded by mouthwatering food trucks, it was the ultimate spot to grab a snack and soak in the action.
The sheep shearing competition was just as exciting! The shearers were amazing, expertly running their blades over the sheep and stripping away their fluffy coats.
It was a real lightbulb moment for a lot of kids, including ours, to discover that this freshly sheared wool is actually what’s used to make blankets and sweaters.
Amusement Rides at The Kumeu Show
The Kumeu Show was like a grand carnival, filled with fun rides.
Children bounced happily on jumping castles and zoomed down giant slides.
The tea cups spun merrily, and the carousel delighted all ages with its music and horses.
For those seeking more thrills, the haunted ship provided scares, and the Turbo Boost shot riders skyward.
It wasn’t just about the big rides. For the little ones, there were loads of sideshows and games around the grounds.
From hooking ducks to popping balloons or trying their luck at toss games, fun was everywhere.
Scheduled Programs
The Kumeu Show was packed with a range of scheduled programmes, and with so much going on, we couldn’t catch them all.
One announcement, though, did stop us in our tracks: the giant pumpkin auction.
We had to see this for ourselves, and sure enough, those pumpkins were genuinely massive – no exaggeration needed!
Later that day, we came across some lively Chinese performances.
The dragon dance, with its swirling colours and fluid movements, was a real treat to watch.
Then, a marching band’s beats energised the atmosphere, reflecting the diverse cultural mix that New Zealand proudly embraces.
Indoor Exhibits
After the pumpkin patch, we discovered a range of indoor exhibits to explore.
The movie set exhibit especially grabbed our attention. Its detailed authenticity was impressive, and I could picture a film crew at work.
However, as it was almost our kids’ naptime, we had to be selective.
We chose to conclude our Kumeu Show experience at the animal barn, a priority on our list.
Farm Animals
A trip to the Kumeu Show isn’t complete without checking out the farm animals. The exhibit was full of life, with creatures that easily caught the eye of both kids and grown-ups.
From the gentle cooing of birds to the clucking of chickens, every corner seemed to offer a pleasant surprise.
The waterfowl area was particularly active, with geese and ducks strutting about in their playful way.
It was here our daughter felt a duckling’s soft feathers, her eyes full of wonder as she stroked it.
Close by, our son had his own special moment, bravely touching an alpaca’s soft coat.
The undisputed stars of the show were the little piggies, happily squabbling over a watermelon chunk.
They were such a joy to watch and melted our hearts.
My partner hinted that their love for watermelon matched mine. I gave him a warning glare and took it as a compliment.
Last Notes
As the sun began to set over Kumeu, the sounds of live music resonated.
Even after spending an entire day at the Kumeu Show, we felt we had only experienced half of what the show had to offer.
On the journey home, we asked our daughter, “Did you enjoy the Kumeu Show?”
She pouted her lips and said, “No, because it wasn’t long enough.”
“From 11 am to 4 pm… not long enough? Oh, dear.”
Our son seemed to agree, even though he was dozing off.
Indeed, even though our day at the Kumeu Show was short, but it gave us plenty to remember.
We wish you and your family a safe and joyous Easter, wherever you may be in the world.
∞ Kida
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∞ Kida