Sites filling up for annual field days

Marquees are going up and sawdust is being laid in preparation for this year's Central Districts field days at Manfeild Park in Feilding.

It is the largest regional field day in New Zealand and runs from Thursday to Saturday.

Seven large, Clearspan pavilions and dozens of smaller marquees equivalent to 50,000 square metres of covered areas have gone up.

Organisers say although site sales were slower earlier this year because of the recession, they have lifted recently, and are now close to their usual 500.

Event manager Cheryl Riddel said last year's attendance figures were back on usual years, and they are are hoping to get 35,000 this weekend. In the past, visitor numbers at the field days peaked at 40,000.

"It was slower through the winter last year, but the dairy payout was lifted in November, and then confidence returned, and sites sold more quickly."

Thursday and Friday are the days many farmers get to the feild days.

"Exhibiters can't say they get exactly this many sales as a result of being at field days. A lot of them don't sell something until three to six months down the track."

But many exhibiters know they have to be there now, to put themselves the in the minds of their clients, Ms Riddell said.

People liked the fact that they could get around the "unashamedly" rural field day in a day. That is not the case at other major feild days, such as the National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek.

Farmers come from the southern North Island, from Wairoa to New Plymouth, but most farmers come from within a two-hour drive, Ms Riddell said.

"It is still the best day off the farm, we say, and it is still mainly sheep and beef and dairy-farmer focused."

But she said there are things for those less interested in farming, such as furniture and clothing.

Schools also show their wares at the field days, as do the major organisations such as Massey University and Horizons.

As well as the exhibiters, Ms Riddell said a top lineup of new and regular features is certain to keep the crowd entertained.

The Case IH Central Districts Field Days Tractor Pull competition is making a comeback this year, with classes available for local farmers, contractors and tractor enthusiasts.

"There will also be the National Shingle Shovelling competition on the final day of the field days, starting at 11am.

Event organiser Derek Coombe said teams of three would compete against the clock to fill a 44-gallon drum with shingle.

"There's lots of noise and yelling of encouragement."

A highlight of the three days is also the National Excavator Championships each day, with contestants having to dig drains, and use excavators to do fine work, such as pour a cup of tea, Ms Riddell said.

The Central Districts Field Days gates open from 8.30am each day until 4.30pm on Thursday and Friday. Gates will close at 4pm on the Saturday.

Admission costs $10 for adults and $8 for seniors (on Thursday and Friday). Children under 16, accompanied by an adult, are free.

For further information, phone Cheryl Riddell, 063540000, or see cdfielddays.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News