Mount Main Beach is a great place for seasoned entertainers ‘London and Mousch’ to practise their skills ahead of the 141st Tauranga A&P Lifestyle Show at Tauranga Racecourse on Saturday, February 15.

It’s only the second time the popular duo, Lyndon Hawk and Steve London, have attended the event.

“The kids in the crowd were great last year. It’s a nice family day out,” said Hawk. “I was brought up in Glasgow, with pantomimes and the circus. We didn’t have A&P shows.”

While Hawk taught himself to juggle in his 40s, London started entertaining when he was just 12 years old.

“My brother and I were given puppets for Christmas,” he said. “My grandfather built us a puppet theatre and we started doing little shows. One of them was at the library for book week and someone came up and asked us to do a show for a kindergarten Christmas party and asked how much we charged. I think we earned about 10 ‘bob’ for that.”

As London and Mousch, they have been performing together for two years and will be making their way through the crowds at the Tauranga A&P Lifestyle Show, juggling and performing magic and puppet shows.

Around 3500 people are expected to flock to the annual event to enjoy the traditional music, food, carnival rides and demonstrations along with displays of close to 100 different types of machines and engines – both vintage military vehicles as well as farming equipment.

The dunk tank is a crowd favourite, along with face painting, balloon animals and a strongman competition. Aongatete-based Positively Together has sheep that perform tricks and there will also be a shearing display, with the wool spun into yarn to be used for kids' craft activities.

“It’s a multi-generational family event,” said event organiser Karen Mitchell. “Parents and grandparents have been to the A&P show when they were children, so now they bring their own kids along.”

Those interested in owning alpacas will be able to pet the animals and chat to breeders while kids will enjoy the petting zoo. In the ‘home industry’ contest, Lego building has been included for the first time along with the regular baking, building, growing and sewing.

“There’s been a real resurgence in crafts, particularly since Covid,” says Mitchell. “There’s lots of opportunity to get involved.”

Tauranga A&P Lifestyle Show is at Tauranga Racecourse from 10am on Saturday, February 15. Entry $10 for adults – free for kids under 15.