By Kloe Palmer
The biggest social event on Canterbury's calendar has kicked off. Cup and Show Week is filled with racing, agriculture, fashion and fun.
Despite the devastating seismic events the region has faced of late, this year's no different.
Tents, tables, totes and crowd control have all been carefully constructed for the chaos that is cup day.
The New Zealand Trotting Cup, which runs tomorrow, is Addington Raceway and Christchurch's biggest meet of the year.
Some come to see the horses, but for thousands it's the frocks, fascinators and fun taking centre stage.
It hasn't been quite so straight forward this year, the course lost it's largest grand stand to earthquake damage, but temporary seating will serve and the show goes on.
For Milliner's Katrina Burgess, the four race days this week are by far her busiest time.
“This is one week and I'm busy and the rest of the time I could go to sleep over the winter,” she says.
Cup and Show Week brings an estimated $30m into the region each year, and with Christchurch's economy hard hit by February's quake, this year cashing in on the event is more important than ever.
A pop up container shopping centre has opened just in time and weekend bus tours around the rest of the CBD are proving popular.
Traditionally this week the thirsty flock to the Carlton Hotel and its temporary pop up replacement is prepared.
Show day on Friday brings the country folk into town, and this year there's something special planned.
“At the special time of 11:11:11 there's a special wedding happening at the show,” says Richard Stokes of the Christchurch City Council.
The formal festivities end at Riccarton Park Race Course on Saturday, where the last race day of the week features the Christchurch Casino NZ Cup.
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