Agfest just a week away

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AGFEST INFO

Where: Quercus Park, 415 Oaks Rd, Carrick.

Gates: Open 8am, close 4pm

Cost per day: Adults $31.65, pensioner $25.50, Child (5-17) $13.30, Child (0-5) free, Family pass (2 adult, 3 child) $77.55

Tickets: www.agfest.com.au or www.tasmaniancountry.com

Agfest is the most significant rural event on the Tasmanian agricultural calendar, and Afgest chairperson Dylan Bellchambers said it is only getting bigger.

After a dip due to the COVID pandemic, Mr Bellchambers said he expected more than 50,000 people through the gate at this year's event.

“We’re seeing increased popularity at the moment. We’ve bounced back strong over the last five years,” he said.

“The event industry is a very tough one. However, we’re seeing great interest in our event.

“Exhibitor numbers have increased this year – we’re over 625 – and we only hope that the attendees follow.”

Having interesting things to see and do is what Mr Bellchambers believes keeps people coming back to Agfest.

“We’re investing in the event to make it a stronger field day,” he said.

“There’s more activities, more features, more things to do – and, of course – more exhibitors there.”

Mr Bellchambers said a massive amount of time and hard work was invested into the site and its layout and the final impressive scene at Quercus Park only possible thanks to the volunteer work of Rural Youth Tasmania members.

“We’ve got really strong operational plans from the moment you land in the car park,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into ensuring we can be a large-scale event but have the best experience for everyone.

“Around 10 per cent of Tasmania’s population go to this one event over three days annually.

“It’s not just huge in terms of numbers, but it’s huge for the rural community.”

Mr Bellchambers said the event was a place for “connection and conversation”.

“It’s not very often the agricultural community gets together but it gathers for Agfest. 

There is – of course – a lot of sales and things purchased and bought but beyond all that, there’s a lot more conversation and connections made.”

Ahead of the event taking place on May 1 and 3, Mr Bellchambers urged the public to be prepared.

“Pack the wellies; you never know, it’s an all-weather event,” he said.

“We think the whole rural community is looking for a bit of rain at the moment, and we’re certainly no different.

“But a bit of sunshine makes our event a bit more exciting.

“There’s something new each and every year, so don’t put it off because you think it’ll be the same; we invest hard every year to make it different.”

Agfest began when the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania Inc., originally administered by an officer from the Department of Agriculture and later with a part-time secretary on a modest grant of $14,000 pa, had its funding cut back in the early ‘80s.

The organisation had to stand on its own two feet, so after the success of the World Ploughing competition, a committee of 30 past and present Rural Youth members was formed and the first Agfest was held in May, 1983, at Symmons Plains. 

The first event attracted a total of 111 exhibitors and 9000 patrons and was a two-day event. Agfest became a three-day event from 1984.

The field days grew in popularity and by 1986 had outgrown the Symmons Plains site. The organisation set about finding a permanent site and purchased a block of just under 200 acres at Carrick. The first Agfest to be held on this site was in 1987 and attracted 203 exhibitors and 23,000 patrons.