Three-day showcase proved a powerhouse
BIG bucks exchanged hands at the FNQ Field Days events, which also provided an economic boost for the Tablelands community.
Rotary FNQ Field Days chair Pauline Spackman said there was no available accommodation on the Tablelands during the three-day event.
It meant that one late comer was forced to stay at Yungaburra and make the 80minute round trip each day.
Ms Spackman said one Mareeba motel had already taken bookings for 2019.
This year’s event “exceeded expectations” with more than 18,000 people attending.
“The first day was average, only had about 5000 people on the ground. Every day since then it just built and built.
There were more than 300 sites, which played home to more than 400 exhibitors.
They showcased a variety of agriculture, health, safety and lifestyle products.
They included machinery displays, police and emergency services rescue demonstrations, cattle and goat displays, as well as Tupperware, jewellery, banks and accounting.
Ms Spackman said there was also a big focus on mental health, while the Inventor’s Contest showed just how innovative the Far North was.
It was the first time the popular event had been held over three days from Thursday to Saturday.
“We extended the amount of sites that were available by 70,” Ms Spackman said, adding that they had been sold out a month before the show.
Big business representatives travelled from across the country and internationally to attend the event and Ms Spackman said the feedback had been positive.
“There’s been a lot of money exchanged in the three days,” she said. “The exhibitors are over the moon.”