From November 3 to 18^th the region comes alive with events that will interest all ages and lifestyles.

The country comes to town with the 71^st New Zealand Royal Show from the 14^th to the 16^th. Sheep Dog trials are joined by cooking demonstrations, the BaaBaa Bar, the Sheep Maternity Ward, and all those wonderful animals. As always, the sights, sounds and smells will evoke everything that is rural Canterbury.

Racing events at Riccarton and Addington present the very best in galloping and trotting, high stakes on the course and off with serious fashion aficionados competing for a trip to Paris and Los Angeles.

A special view of Canterbury is offered with a number of events presenting an insite into the natural and architectural world of the region. Akaroa Harbour Cruises will offer the opportunity for families can get up close and personal with the rare New Zealand Hectors Dolphin. Canterbury Home and Garden Tours will peer inside unique historical homes, and specialty gardens – with a chance to speak to the home owners and garden tenders. Sumner Garden Tours will present 10 unique coastal gardens, and Four Vineyards and an Olive Grove will open hitherto private wineries to the public with stunning countryside views and inspiring tastes.

‘This years festival offers more events than ever, with every single one presenting a uniquely ‘Canterbury’ feel" says City Council Leisure Events PR and Promotions Coordinator Beatrice Cheer. " We’re not deliberately trying to make it difficult for festival patrons to choose which ones to attend, but it is very hard to decide!".

The festival begins this year with a Celebrity Sulky Race in Cathedral Square on Friday November 2^nd at 11.30am. Teams will compete for a trophy by hauling a sulky around the course in the central city. Musical entertainment will be on hand with Surfing USSR and the Vague As Brothers, and 500 primary school children will help release 1,000 helium filled balloons – each one with a special Showtime Canterbury message.

Brochures are available all over town, or on the website at www.showtimecanterbury.org.nz