Have a field day at action-packed event
Manfeild Park, Feilding, will be transformed into a virtual rural community when the 25th Central Districts Field Days are held March 15-17.
The Field Days showcase what’s new in the agricultural and associated industries, attracting exhibitors, competitors and visitors from throughout New Zealand.
Central Districts Event Sales Manager Cheryl Riddell has once again come up with new exhibitors and attractions to keep the three-day event fresh and interesting for the farmers and townies alike who support the event year after year.
The Central Districts Field Days bring in about 30,000 visitors over the three days. It’s the biggest regional agricultural field days in New Zealand.
The event generally attracts around 550 exhibitors and this year’s event is on track to hit that target.
Riddell says the sheer scale of the event means it’s a premium marketing opportunity.
While there will be an impressive line-up of farm equipment and vehicles and a wide range of agricultural services, there will also be household items, outdoor furniture and a huge variety of food to suit all tastes.
Field Days aren’t just about farm machinery, says Riddell, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
A top attraction this year is likely to be the return of the Royal New Zealand Air Force aerobatic team, the Black Falcons, which will give a demonstration around noon on Saturday. An Air Force Harvard will also give an aerial display between
11.50am and 12.25pm. The Air Force’s newest A109 helicopter will be on display all day.
An added attraction this year is the appearance of the New Zealand Army Band for the first time at Central Districts Field Days. The band will perform at Food Court 1 on each of the three days from
11am till 11.45am and again at 1.30pm till
2.15pm.
New among general exhibitors will be Manor Homes, New Plymouth, which will have a four-bedroom house on the back of
a truck displayed just inside the entrance to the Field Days. Visitors can take a close look at this home.
Nearby will be another new exhibitor, Container Concepts Feilding, a company that converts shipping containers into usable spaces for rural, residential, commercial or industrial use. The company sources the containers, carries out the conversion work and transports the finished product to the site.
Hyundai will also have a display set up at the entrance to Field Days, offering test drives of one of its newest vehicles.
Bayleys Coast to Coast is again on board as sponsor of the Rural Lifestyle Pavilion, which will showcase a wide range of products and services.
Also on board this year as new sponsors are Inspire Net and Originair. Inspire Net is providing free wi-fi in centre field near the Cuisine food marquee and the new Kids Zone, while Originair is giving away a $500 voucher for air travel between Nelson, New Plymouth and Palmerston North. Anyone buying their Field Days’ tickets online will go into a draw to win the travel voucher.
Among the competitions being held, which are a big part of Field Days, is the popular Tractor Pull, sponsored by Claas
Harvest Centre and run over the three days.
Another competition to provide some exciting action will be the Central Districts Doubles Power Fencing on Friday morning. Hot favourites are father-and-son team Shane and Tony Bouskill. They won the most recent NZFC regional competition for King Country at the Taumarunui A&P Show. They are also the reigning NZ national doubles fencing champions and will be hard to beat.
The Civil Contractors New Zealand National Excavator Operator Competition on Friday and Saturday will be the scene of some highly skilled work that is sure to wow spectators.
The food marquee, renamed Cuisine last year, will have a mix of new and past exhibitors and a relaxed outdoor seating area with its own entertainers. The entrance to the Cuisine marquee has been moved and will provide easier access. Returning this year is local peanut butter maker ME’N’K8, which will introduce its new honey range. Po¯ha¯ngina’s Cartwheel Creamery will also be back, showcasing its range of cheeses.
New to Central Districts Field Days this year is Levin’s Genoese Food, which will introduce its range of basil pesto. Another
newcomer is Farmland Foods, one of the country’s leading producers of smallgoods.
There will be three Food Courts and four smaller Food Areas offering all types of food and drinks, from wild venison sandwiches, lamb burgers, gourmet pizzas, wraps, whitebait, churros, Asian food and ice creams and everything in between.
There will be entertainment throughout the day at the Food Court 1 from local band Pedros, the Army Band and the PNBHS Stage Band, which will perform on Thursday and Saturday at 12.30pm.
As in other years, there is a $20,000 prize up for grabs for one lucky person attending Field Days. The prize is a Suzuki ATV and Brent Smith trailer loaded with products for the home and farm donated by exhibitors. Enter at the Field Days and this will be drawn on the Suzuki site at 3.30pm on Saturday. The winner needs to have a rural delivery address and be over the age of 18.
Central Districts Field Days run from
9am to 4.30pm Thursday and Friday and from 9am to 4pm on Saturday. Standard admission is $18 for adults, $13 for seniors and $5 for children aged 5 to
15. On the day tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and children 5 to 15 $5.