Spearheaded by rural advocate Craig “Wiggy” Wiggins, and supported by Farmlands, the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust and Federated Farmers, the thrust behind the idea is building strong rural communities.
“It’s about getting farmers and their families out for a bit of fun,” Wiggins said.
“We have had farming family day at the races a couple of times, but we are going for a bit different this time, and the feedback we are hearing is that these events are clearly welcomed by rural communities.
“We had ideas come up, it was a meeting of the minds as to how we could get farmers and families out yakking, and we all jumped in together to do a rural community ball and then the opportunity came up to hold a couple of quiz nights too.”
Taking it to the farmers, the two quiz nights will be held in rural locations, the first with a duck shooting theme on April 30 at the Methven Racecourse and the second, with a sports theme sponsored by the Hinds and Districts Lions Club at the Southern Rugby Club, Hinds, on May 7.
Teams of four to six people are invited to rock up for a social night of brainstorming fun with great prizes up for grabs, including prizes for the best dressed in the theme of the night.
Guest speakers will feature during the quiz breaks, with people encouraged to register their team ahead of the night at farmingfamilies4u@gmail.com
Farming Families is also proudly presenting the Mid Canterbury Rural Community Ball on June 12.
“It will be time to dig out the glad rags, with the emphasis being on family, as we encourage bringing teenagers along too,” he said.
Early bird tickets at $65 for people with a rural address will go on sale on April 19, with remaining tickets at $75 on sale from May 1. Tickets can be purchased at www.trybooking.com
To be held at the Hotel Ashburton, featuring acclaimed country singer Jody Direen and Ashburton’s own Gold Guitar Awards winner, 12-year-old Molly Harrison, the Ball kicks off with a buffet dinner, included in the ticket price, with a cash bar operating for beverages.
A charity auction will run throughout the evening with a haul of giveaway prizes also on offer.
“Tickets are limited to 400 so get your tickets early,” he said.
Farming Families’ events have been made possible through the collaboration of the Rural Support Trust (RST), Farmlands, Federated Farmers, Whatever with Wiggy, and supported by major sponsors: The Ashburton Trust, BDO New Zealand, RST, Farmlands, FMG and Ballance.
