After four decades of A&P show involvement, Victor Schikker is still as enthusiastic as ever.

"The show is a link between town and country," the Ashburton A&P Show two-term president said.

"It's a chance to showcase rural excellence."

The Ashburton Show, held on October 27 and 28 this year, has been a highlight of the Mid Canterbury rural calendar for 147 years.

The event is a chance for people to show off their produce and livestock, and for the community to get together and connect, Schikker said.

"It's a social day, too.

"People can come to the show, wander around and have a yarn with their neighbours."

The show will have a vast array of displays and stall holders, with the 'Let's create a buzz: bugs, bees and butterflies' theme adding another layer of excitement.

"The theme targets the home gardener through to the large scale crop farmer."

“The Bug Man” and "Buggin' with Ruud" star Ruud Kleinpaste will be guest speaker at the show, hosting one-hour workshops on backyard ecosystems, farm biodiversity, and insects.

Show staples such as cattle showing and dog trials remain a key part of the event.

The Australia - New Zealand test dog trial, organised by the Methven Collie Club, returns to the show this year for the first time since 2011 and is set to be a crowd favourite.

Schikker, who grew up in Mt Somers and has lived in Mid Canterbury all his life working as a stock agent for PGG Wrightsons, says being involved in the show is about "giving back".

"We're all volunteers; we just enjoy doing it, and it's a bit social.

"The show has been going for 147 years; let's see if we can keep it going for another 100 years."

Ashburton A&P Show

Date: October 27 and 28

Opening time: 8am

Where to park: Across the road from showgrounds on Seafield Road

President: Victor Schikker

Vice President: Ben Stock

Theme: Let’s create a buzz: Bugs, bees and butterflies

Ticket sales: $15 per head, children free

Where to stay up to date: Ashburton Show Facebook page

Key events

Friday 27th October

8am Dog trials start

9am Outdoor markets open, trade sites open Sturgeons amusements start operating

9.30am Wool judging

10am Home industries judging, grain and seed judging

4pm Trans Tasman dog trial

5pm - 9pm Night side-shows and food trucks

Saturday October 28

8am Dog trials, horse events commence

8.45am Alpaca judging

9am Sturgeons amusements start operating, trade sites and outdoor markets open, shearing commences, highland & national dancing commences, Pet Pavilion in Bayleys shed

9.30am Donkey and mule judging

9.45am Sheep judging

10am calf judging, goat and poultry judging, crazy bikes with Pedalmania free to children

11am Shetland pony judging

12pm Champion of champion ram and ewe hogget, presentation of sheep awards

1pm Judging of pet parade in Robin Bruce Arena

1.50pm Address by president

2.30pm Grand parade led by Ashburton Highland Pipe Band

2.45pm Lolly scramble

3.30pm Shearing presentations, Trans Tasman dog trial

4pm Home Industries presentations

5.30pm Dog trial presentations

By Claire Inkson