Despite a southerly hitting Mid Canterbury the day before, the region woke to a crisp, sunny morning with fresh snow visible on the mountains for the 108th Methven A&P Show.

A&P president Trevor Monson said the committee had been following the weather forecast and was confident that the sun would be shining for the event, held on Saturday at the Methven showgrounds.

"We came in guns blazing despite the weather and set everything up.

"And then the sun came out on the day, and we had a lot of people through the gates."

Monson said the show had record trade site numbers and he was happy with the layout of the event.

"The flow of the show was really good.

"We put food stands in the trade area to keep people walking around the sites."

RuralCo was awarded Best Small Trade Site, while Wareings Transport, which will celebrate fifty years in business next year, was awarded Best Large Trade Site.

Monson said he joined the committee thirteen years ago when he moved to the area and had found being involved in the association a great way to meet new people.

"The theme of our show is 'get involved in your community’, that's what it’s all about,'" Monson said.

He credits the committee for the show's success.

"The subcommittee just gives it their all. They take pride in the show and do a good job, and everything just falls together."

The animal shed, which boasts a new extension, was a highlight of the show, with Truffles the Water Buffalo stealing the limelight.

An arts precinct showcased local artists such as Olivia Bezett, Jude Gibson, and Amanda King, who is well known for her livestock photography business, By the Horns.

There was plenty on offer for children, including a sheep colouring competition sponsored by Rabobank, free face painting and balloon animals, and an array of sideshow entertainment.

Show favourites sheep shearing and wood chopping drew crowds, and equestrian events ran throughout the day.

Vintage machinery enthusiasts had plenty to look at with the Mid Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club display of vintage tractors.

The Methven Ute Muster, which runs inside the A&P showgrounds and is part of the event, drew over seventy vehicles, from vintage to new.

Ute Muster organiser Craig Elliott said he was extremely happy with the event's growth and the number of entries this year.

"We have had a big array of utes coming in, and we have had great support from our sponsors, with over ten different companies sponsoring this year."

The Ute Muster had ten different categories for every kind of ute, from the dirtiest or roughest to the best accessorised and best shepherds ute.

At an awards ceremony held at lunchtime, over $5000 worth of prizes were given out to category winners.

A ute tug of war between a late model Toyota Hilux and an older model Volkswagen Amarok followed the grand parade led by the Ashburton Pipe Band.

By Claire Inkson