Agfest fast approaching

THE marquees are going up, the big machinery is moving in and Rural Youth members have their boots on the ground as Agfest, an event that’s like an early Christmas for Tasmania’s agricultural industry, fast approaches.

Rural Youth vice president Rory Eaton said preparations for this year’s event, from May 1-3, were well under way.

“We had a working bee over the weekend, so we had a lot of volunteers out doing some site maintenance and a bit of fencing – so everything’s looking awesome,” Mr Eaton said.

Events and venue manager Sharee Hogan said despite the early deadline caused by Easter and Anzac Day fall- ing ahead of Agfest, plus the rowing championships at Lake Barrington and the Supercars scheduled either side of Agfest and putting pressure on the demand for marquees, every- thing is on target.

“The marquees have gone upquicker than usual because themachinery exhibitors are already com- ing in and they’ve done an amazing job.

“There’s about 50-60 people here every day erecting the tents, laying down the bark and generally setting everything up.”

In her third year of overseeing the set-up, Sharee said she is familiar with the logistics.

Like a game of Jenga the planning and order of manoeuvring around the site are all-important.

“We have to get all the machinery on site and then the big irrigation suppliers so the transporters have some room so there’s minimal traffic in the way, then the portable homes set up because they have to be craned in and then rebuilt, and finally the rest of the exhibitors can come in.”

With more than 600 exhibitors filling the superbly prepared ground, Mr Eaton said there would be plenty ofregular favourites mixed with some new and surprising additions.

He expects the Bluey exhibition to be among the most popular with young patrons.

“We’ve got Bluey and Bingo coming down to do a bit of a show there for the kids and get the families involved,” he said.

“Fingers crossed that piques people’s interest and gets the kids involved - and that’s what we’re trying to build upon; that family-friendly environment - rather than just the farmers buying equipment.

“We really want to get the families out there to enjoy the experience.”

Mr Eaton also said that a fewchanges have been made to the site to make everything “flow a bit better and breathe a bit of life into it”.

Organisers expect tens of thousands of people through the gates during the event.

“If we hit our 60,000 mark, we’ll be more than happy. We normally averagearound 60,000 people - so that’s pretty comfortable,” Mr Eaton said.

The long-range weather forecast is for fine weather for Agfest, and while Quercus Park is dry and banging a star picket in is not easy, it’s made for easy site preparations.

Tickets to Agfest can be purchased through the Tas Country website and don’t forget to visit us at our site right at the main entry gate on the corner of Main St and CWA Grove.

Grab a copy of the paper and even our highly sought after beanies which will be given away at Sparrow’s Fart 8am, Midday Muster 12 noon and Final Feeding at 3pm each day. 

Our next edition will also feature the official Agfest Guide so grab a copy to be on top of who, where and when all the exhibitors and entertainment are.