The Ashburton Show programme is action-packed this year, and the focus is on giving attendees value for money as they attend the annual event this November 1 and 2.

"We are fully aware there is a lot of financial hurt out there at the moment, so we are trying to provide a lot more for the same entry fee," show president Ben Stock says.

With an entry fee of just $ 15, and free admission for school children, the Ashburton Show offers an affordable and enjoyable experience for all.

"I think we remain one of the cheapest shows in the Canterbury region."

This year's event theme is "Paddock to Picnic", showcasing Mid Canterbury as the country's food basket and extending beyond the show gates.

Attendees can expect a range of activities and displays that highlight the region's rich agricultural heritage and the journey of food from the farm to your table.

The Ash-burger bash is a new initiative this year where local bars and restaurants are encouraged to create a unique burger in the lead-up to the show.

Burger entries must contain seven locally grown products, and will be judged by locals as they try them at participating restaurants throughout Ashburton.

Luke Howden from Hokanui will announce the top burger on Saturday at the show and present the winner with a trophy.

An inter-office picnic basket competition in which offices put together a show-themed picnic basket with local treats could win businesses a smoko shout.

Burgers are on the menu at the show as well, with 1000 Burgers sponsored by ANZCO cooked by Smoke restaurant being given away to the 1000 paying attendees on Saturday.

"We want to play our part in the community by encouraging people to support local, see what's happening in their backyard and support it.

"We want people to make people aware of what's happening out there and champion it."

The show stays true to its roots, with plenty of rural events scattered throughout both days, including the New Zealand Gumboot Competition, a farrier demonstration, and a highly anticipated celebrity shearing competition.

"The shearing competition will feature some local identities who are more than willing to make a spectacle of themselves.

"None of them have shorn sheep before, so it's a bit of a learning curve.

"Hopefully their friends will come along and give them a good ridiculing," Stock said.

Despite Mid Canterbury being predominantly arable and dairy, Stock said the show committee was excited to have Wool Impact featured at the event to promote the wool industry and innovation.

"They will display everything wool you can imagine, from business cards to clothing and even coffins.

"They are a really energetic group of people pushing a great Kiwi story hard."

The animal tent, always a crowd favourite is back, but bigger and better than last year, and the clash of the colleges makes its Ashburton Show debut with a modular competition for high school ag students.

"We just want to build on what is already a great show.

"There are a lot of cool people and energy in our district, and they seem to come to the surface at times like this; it's really awesome," Stock said.

Remembering Victor

The Ashburton Show will remember immediate past show president Viktor Schikker at this year's event, with a Geraldine House of Hops beer relabelled in Victor's honour.

The bar will also bear Victor's name, a tribute to the much loved Mid Canterbury identity who died tragically in an ice skating rink accident earlier this month.

Current show president Ben Stock described Victor as "just an all-round good bugger."

"He was very proud of his district and the A&P Association.

"He was people's go-to for information; he was a lot of fun to be around and a great storyteller."

Schikker was a livestock rep for PGG Wrightson and was due to celebrate fifty years of service to the company this coming January.

Schikker was a member of Mayfield Lions and had a long association with the A&P society. In the early days of his career as a livestock rep, he looked after the cattle classes.

He was also involved in the IHC calf scheme since its infancy.

"He was a good Ashburton identity who will leave a very big hole in many people's lives," Stock said.

By Claire Inkson