It is less than four weeks until the largest agricultural show in the Hunter gets underway, with event organisers preparing for record-breaking crowds and almost 300 exhibitors.
Held between April 29 to May 1 at the Tocal Agricultural Centre in Paterson, Tocal Field Days is the number one field day in the Hunter region, with 28,000 people in attendance last year.
Manager Charise Foulstone said visitors could expect a plethora of new attractions and the return of some crowd favourite activities.
Foulstone said they were looking forward to putting the impacts of COVID-19 and flooding behind them and enjoying a great weekend out.
She said Tocal Field Days also played an important role in connecting communities and showcasing Hunter’s outstanding produce and farming sector.
“Tocal Field Days educates people about the importance of agriculture and where food comes from,” Foulstone said.
“It also gives farmers and farm suppliers a chance to get together, share ideas, and buy from each other.
“Local community groups also benefit from grants issued from the event’s proceeds – 12 groups shared $35,000 last year.”
Highlights of this year’s event include cooking demonstrations by TV chef Fast Ed, horse demonstrations, future farming displays, a milking barn, and a billy boiling competition.
Other crowd favourite activities include piglet races, fencing demonstrations, working dog demonstrations, gumboot throwing competitions, bee-keeping displays, food and wine, art and craft displays, fashion parades, gardening talks, cooking demonstrations and cooking workshops.
Local musical school students will provide live entertainment on Saturday and Sunday and are paid through the Talent at Tocal program.
“Once you have a ticket, most activities and competitions are free, making it an affordable day out for the family,” Foulstone said.
“People can also use their $25 NSW Government Discover vouchers if they buy tickets at the gate.
“The CWA will provide a free Devonshire tea to make up the difference in ticket prices.”
Parking is available at the event, but a free park and ride shuttle bus from Maitland Railway Station via Lorn will run every hour to make it easy for people to get to the event.
For information on tickets and pricing, visit tocalfielddays.com.
Hayley McMahon