Numbers swell at Agfest with hopes to crack the 60,000 visitor mark

AGFEST has come a long way from its early days as a two-day event on a small site in Perth, where it drew some 9000 people in its first year.

Big numbers: Agfest organisers are hoping the crowd will top the 60,000 mark this year.

AGFEST has come a long way from its early days as a two-day event on a small site in Perth, where it drew some 9000 people in its first year.

Now the distinctly Tasmanian event is a three-day affair, held outside Launceston, and it attracts just under 60,000 people each year.

“We haven’t quite cracked 60,0000 people yet, but we would like to,” Agfest chairwoman Kate Birch said.

Still, it’s a big achievement for the Agfest team, who belong to the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania.

Ms Birch, who is in her second and final year as chairwoman, said 743 exhibitors were booked in for this year’s May 4-6 event.

Last year, 58,285 people came through the gates over the three days, and 764 exhibitors took part.

Agfest, in its 34th year, is geared towards treechangers, farmers and curious urbanites.

Locals, understandably, also make up a fair whack of the crowd, and Ms Birch has been keen to ensure there is plenty to entertain school kids as well.

Five years ago, Ms Birch decided to develop a new feature for Agfest that would teach kids about where their food came from.

She came up with the Kids Agricultural Awareness, or KAAP, which has become one of the most popular marquees at Agfest, with interactive displays on agriculture and how food is grown.

“Of our exhibitors, about 20 or 30, have agreed to add school-age activities as part of their stalls and kids get a passport stamped at each as they move their way along the student learning trail,” Ms Birch said.

The Ag Art Wear competition is popular among the older kids, with clothing made by recycling farmyard junk into wearable art forms.

“Boys or girls can enter and the garment has to be made from an item or items found on a farm,” Ms Birch said.

A display area showcases the old tractors and combine harvesters of yore, while the Peter Brock Memorial Four Wheel Drive Track provides plenty of action for spectators.

Over the course of the three-day event, some 23 handlers and 60 dogs will be put through their paces at the Tasmanian Sheep Dog Trials.

The dogs, led by their owners, must guide the sheep through typical farm obstacles.

Tasmania is known for its large number of artisans and the TasNetworks craft pavilions display some of their finest products, while the Beta Milk Unique Tastes pavilion is the place to head for Tasmanian produce and wine.

Back by popular demand is the Equine Expo, featuring 20 speciality exhibitors.

The Olympus Feeds Arena will feature a full program of demonstrations, including miniature ponies, dressage, cross-country and showjumping displays. “We stopped holding the equine expo a few years ago and people told us they wanted it back,” Ms Birch said.

“We listened to them and we bought it back. That kind of feedback is what we are after and if people think of something they would like to see at the show that we haven’t included, they can let us know.”

Agfest is run by young volunteers from Rural Youth Tasmania, many of whom are under 25, and Ms Birch encouraged more young Tasmanians to sign up.

“It can be the start of a career,” she said.

“I received so much marketing and volunteering experience through Agfest and I was chairing meetings by the age of 21.

“It’s a career path for kids and it involves on-the-job learning except it’s not really a job, it’s a passion.”

This year’s event, will mark the end of Ms Birch’s chairmanship, but she will still be involved as a volunteer.

“It all starts again at 5pm on the Saturday when we start planning for the next year’s show,” she said.