A tank full of eels, sheep colouring and chainsaw carving – expect the unexpected at this year's Methven Show.

The 109th show, on March 15, is set to be anything but boring.

The recently extended animal petting shed will feature all the usual contenders, such as sheep and puppies and the not-so-cuddly tank of eels.

"The kids love the eels. We had to put a grate over the top because the kids kept climbing in.

"Country kids just don't feel fear," Methven A&P show president and local arable and dairy farmer Ben Streeter says.

As a twist on the traditional dairy farm, Matt Jones from Jones Family Farm will do a sheep milking demonstration every hour for six hours outside the animal shed.

The dog trials are a favourite for spectators too.

"We took a couple of stands last year, like you have at the rugby club, and they were full.

"People thought it was awesome."

Streeter says that while dog trials have disappeared from the programme at many A&P shows, at Methven, the event continues to see a good uptake, with around 28 dogs entered last year.

"Dog trials have sort of died at local shows, but for some reason, we have hung on, and it's getting more and more popular.

"We put on a barbecue and a few beers, and we reckon that helps."

Streeter said the dog trials at the show were a good stepping stone to competing in more serious dog trialling events.

"The beauty of it is that it's more relaxed, which is good for young people starting out."

Children are well catered for with a Lego display in the pavilion, a spud in a bucket competition and a kid's top town challenge.

Streeter describes a children's sheep colouring competition as "unorganised chaos".

"We just put three or four sheep in a pen with three or four kids, and they box of rattle and leave them to it.

"I was going to say organised chaos, but it's probably not even organised."

Local farmer Andrew Hart supplies the sheep.

"He always puts them in his front paddock after the show; it's hilarious."

All potatoes grown in the spud in a bucket competition are donated to Methven House Rest Home.

The theme for this year's show is "Mid Canterbury Feeding the World", showcasing the variety of food producers in the region.

"Mid Canterbury can produce just about any sort of food," Streeter said.

And with live music and a wide variety of food trucks in the food and wine area, there is no chance of going hungry at the show.

"We have about  50 picnic tables in that area, which makes it quite cool."

Streeter said the show's main fundraiser is the Gift Lamb and Calf competition.

"We get around 70 lambs and about 40 calves and auction them on show day.

"It's a huge thing."

The show's staple of wood chopping gets a new twist with a chainsaw carving demonstration by A.D Pugh, known as Captain Chainsaw, from Little Tree Garden Craft.

The Grand Parade, led by the Ashburton Pipe Band, will feature vintage machinery and the winning Utes from the event's annual ute muster.

"It's massive when you compare it to other parades, it's huge."

After the parade, the public bar will open at 3 pm where spectators can watch the ute tug of war, human tug of war, sheaf tossing, gumboot throwing and bare-back barrel riding.

What you need to know before you go

Methven A&P Show

President: Ben Streeter

Vice President: Mike McKenzie

When: March 15

Gates open: 8 am

Where: Methven Showgrounds

Parking: Free, Gate A off Barkers Rd

Tickets $20, children free.

For more information, visit www.methvenshow.co.nz

By Claire Inkson