Town dependent on field days

ELMORE is preparing itself for its annual invasion.

Back for more: Organisers expect about 35,000 people to attend Elmore Field Days this year. Picture: Zoe Phillips

ELMORE is preparing itself for its annual invasion.

And while it is almost impossible to cross the main street in the first week of October, locals will not be complaining.

They know the Elmore Field Days are a vital part of the success of their town and have injected millions of dollars into the community.

Farmer John Giffin is the Elmore Field Days public relations officer but, in typical country fashion, he is also in charge of waste management.

And Mr Giffin said the committee never had any problems attracting volunteers for everything from manning the gates to the less glamorous jobs of taking away rubbish.

“We have 500 volunteers who help each year, and
most really enjoy it,” he said.

“I think everyone understands that if we did not have a field day, we would not have a viable town.

“Over the 53 years, we are getting close to donating
$3 million to the community.”

Elmore Field Days will this year have its fair share of machinery and Mr Giffin said most of the major companies had committed to bringing a full display of gear.

Demonstrations are a key part of the field days.

“It is great to be able to look at gear, but we will have demonstrations to see how that gear works, so you are
not just kicking tyres,” Mr Giffin said.

“Farmers will be able to see a range of things, like hay-making equipment and even agricultural drones for imaging and how they work.”

And while Mr Giffin likes his machinery, his favourite part of the field days is wandering through the display of leisure exhibitors.

“It is terrific to see the camping and fishing equipment, and the spas and pools,” he said.

“You can’t work your whole life, it is about having a balance.”

There will be 700 exhibitors this year, about the same number as it has been for several years.

There are changes, though.

The Taste More pavilion is no longer, with wine tastings and gourmet food to be housed in the George Holmberg Pavilion.

And there will also be a focus on mental health, headlined by Bali bombing survivor and former AFL player Jason McCartney as one of the speakers.

The field days are also the time to announce The Weekly Times Australian and imported machines of the year with many contesting the coveted award.

Other highlights include children's entertainment in Quirky Tales, DIY workshops from Bunnings, live music, a Thermomix cooking demonstration and an agricultural art wear parade.

Mr Giffin said the good season in the district and across much of southeastern Australia should see the event achieve its goal attendance of about 35,000 people across the three-day event.

“We draw our visitors from about a 100km radius and much of this area is having its best season in a long time,” he said.

“We think this will translate into a lot of confidence at the field days.

“And for our exhibitors’ sake, we also helps this translate from tyre kickers to deposits put on machinery.”

And with such a good season, the site was looking a picture, Mr Giffin said.

The 53rd Elmore and District Field Days run from October 4-6.