Top ten things to do and see at AgFest

AGFEST has something for every age, from junior cattle handling to a heritage machinery display. Here’s our top ten things to see and do.

AGFEST has something for every age, from junior cattle handling to a heritage machinery display. Here’s our top 10 things to see and do.

1. TasNetworks craft pavilions

If you’re still on the hunt for a Mother’s Day gift, the craft pavilions may be the spot to stop. The pavilions, located to the northeast of the festival site, are home to many art and craft products.

2. Betta Milk Unique Taste Fine Foods pavilion

After some serious shopping, head to the Unique Taste Find Foods pavilion to sample some fine food and wines in South Street, between Fourth and Fifth Avenues.

3. Heritage display

If you’re a machinery fan, make sure you stop by the heritage display, where volunteers from heritage machinery clubs and societies will be showcasing their vintage pieces.

4. DairyTas Legendairy Expo

If you like your dairy, you can’t go past the Legendairy Expo — which gets props just for the name. For the farmers, there are breed and animal health companies, representatives from the milk companies and education and training providers. But this expo is not just for farmers, it is a place to find delicious coffee, hot chocolate, chocolate and cheese.

5. Peter Brock Memorial Four- Wheel Drive Track

If you like a bit of action, this one’s for you. See whether the track gets the better of the 4WDs every hour on the corner of North Street and Fifth Avenue. There will also be car rollover recovery demonstrations.

6. Ag Art Wear

At noon, make sure you’ve got a good view of Main Street. Models will be walking in garments made from recycled “farm yard junk”. The garments are completely made from items found on farms, with no pre-made items allowed.

7. Junior cattle handling

Here’s something new to check out. This year, junior cattle handlers from agricultural schools across the state will showcase the art of cattle handling.

8. Business and Lifestyle Expo

Head to the Business and Lifestyle Expo to learn some new life skills. Exhibitors will provide information on agriculture, building and safety services and waste and recycling within the community. There will also be travel advice, ­financial services, business mentoring and hearing testing available. It can be found between CWA Grove and First Avenue.

9. Equine Expo

What’s a field day without an equestrian expo? Check out the exciting demonstrations, including the team from the Tasmanian Extreme Cowboys Association and the Pryde’s Easifeed-sponsored riders. Don’t forget to visit the equine exhibitors surrounding the arena.

10. Sheep dog trials

Sheep dog trials will run for the three days, showing the best Tasmanian sheep dogs in action. There will be 25 handlers and 80 dogs working on both Thursday and Friday, and the top 16 dogs will work on Saturday. Who will be crowned the Agfest Open Sheep Dog Champion?