12,000 visitors to day 1 of Agfest

END OF DAY UPDATE:

12,037 people visited Agfest today.

“Today has been awesome, as the first day of my first year as Chair, I couldn’t ask for anything better", Agfest Chairperson Jesse Macdonald said.

The event was officially opened by The Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC to fine - but fresh - weather.

EARLIER:

Agfest chair Jesse McDonald and president Amber Bramich welcomed throngs of field day fanatics through the gates of Quercus Park yesterday with the enthusiasm of a couple of kelpies rounding up some sheep.

There was a snowy bite in the air but patrons soon warmed up in the sunshine as they traversed the giant grid of goodies from machinery to craft to camping gear.

Ms Bramich said that she was incredibly proud to deliver the 44th Agfest along with fellow Rural Youth members and to see people of all ages and backgrounds heading through the gates.

“Everyone has their favourite thing but with a record amount of exhibitors this year it’s so easy to find something new and lots of variety – we like to change it up a little each year.”

“Being a horsey girl I’m especially excited to see some of equine exhibitors and I’ll probably end up buying something for my quarterhorse Imm,” she said.

Mr McDonald was keen to head off to the Tool Kit Depot Tradie Challenge, a new event at Agfest designed to find out who’s best on the tools.

“We’ve got three teams competing and they’ll be building children’s play equipment of their own design – something that we can then donate to a local playgroup.”

As patron of Agfest outgoing Governor of Tasmania Barbara Baker AC said Agfest brings together farmers, producers, families and visitors from across the State and beyond.

“It is a celebration of the strength and diversity of Tasmanian agriculture,” she said.