Wet weather doesn’t rain on Agfest’s parade as patrons flock to Quercus Rural Youth Park

THOUSANDS of keen Agfest visitors have dusted off their coats and gumboots as Tasmania’s biggest rural event got off to a wet start.

THOUSANDS of keen Agfest visitors have dusted off their coats and gumboots as Tasmania’s biggest rural event got off to a wet start.

Olivia Bonner, of St Helens, at this year’s Agfest. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Organisers hope a crowd of about 15,000 will go through the gates at the Quercus Rural Youth Park near Carrick.

As the traditional farmers’ day of the event there are unlikely to be many people complaining about today’s damp conditions.

Agfest chairwoman Kate Coad said if the people loaded down with shopping bags were any indication, the event was off to a great start.

“Everyone looks pretty happy and I don’t think the weather is putting anyone off,” she said.

“As much as I’d like us to have fine weather, I’m prepared to embrace the rain for the sake of the farmers who need it.”

Traffic to the site is flowing smoothly and the organising committee is hoping for a crowd of about 15,000 today.

“We’ve had some early feedback from some of the exhibitors and they seem pretty happy with how everything is going,” she said.

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Despite some challenging conditions earlier in the week when wild weather lashed the site, a record 762 exhibitors are ready to welcome thousands of visitors.

About 60,000 patrons will spend more than $26 million in the three days of Agfest in what is a major boost for the state economy.

Many farmers use the event as a chance to see new machinery and technology first hand or to shop around for a bargain.

“We’ve done quite a bit of work with some of the machinery dealers to make is a bit easier for them to get the amount of gear out here that they need to, so there is quite a lot of machinery here this year,” Ms Coad said.

One of the most popular attractions again this year will be daily demonstrations on the Peter Brock Memorial Four Wheel Drive Track.

This year a different sort of pulling power will also be on show however when a team of eight bullocks take to the hills and mud on the track to show patrons exactly how things used to be done.

The gates to Agfest will be open from 8am until 5pm each day. Entry costs $15 for adults and $5 for children between 5-15. Children under 5 get in for free.

To find out more go to www.agfest.com.au

Read more in tomorrow’s Mercury

Tasmanian Country — out every Friday

Originally published as Wet weather doesn’t rain on Agfest’s parade as patrons flock to Quercus Rural Youth Park