Suzie Moo helps milk record crowds at show

Children who thought milk was made out of sight in supermarkets learned the truth at the Fresha Valley Suzie Moo Show during the Whangarei Summer Show.

During the Fresha Valley-sponsored educational event, Suzie Moo helped milk cows, separate cream from the milk, churn butter and feed calves.

With sun and good weather, a record 18,500 people attended the two-day 132nd annual Summer Show, beating the previous best attendance of 17,000 in 2006.

And with more than 2000 of the big crowd making the weekend's eight scheduled half-hour Suzie Moo shows so crowded there was standing room only, an extra show was added on Saturday afternoon.

With gate admission only $5 again this year, and with other shows - BJ Bear, the Big Dig, tractor rides and Wacky races - also proving popular, the Summer Show provided great family fun and value for money.

Whangarei Agricultural and Pastoral Society chief executive Malcolm McKerrow said show organisers were happy with the record attendance.

"The weather certainly helped this year, particularly after having Sunday rained off last year, and with the lower gate admission the show is affordable for many who may not have come in previous years," he said.

"We noted a massive number of young families at the show this year."

Society officials were delighted with the success of the Suzie Moo Show.

"The area was packed for each performance, which was terrific. Members of the audience also got to try their hand at hand milking and some extra lucky ones were able to bottle feed a calf during each show," Mr McKerrow said.