Northland Field Days patron reflects on event's rain-soaked beginnings
Northland Field Days patron Ross Newlove remembers the inaugural field days he attended 40 years ago.
That's what organisers of this year's Northland Field Days are promising to visitors and exhibitors.
Dubbed 'The Friendly Field Days', the three-day event kicks off on February 26th.
Organising committee president John Phillips says over 400 exhibitors have signed up and final preparations are underway for the evednt which starts in just over two weeks.
Several major gate prizes will be up for grabs; Dargaville Honda Motorbikes and Marine is offering one winner a choice of either a Honda Outboard or a Honda Quad Bike.
A holiday giveaway worth $9,500 is being offered by North Travel from Whangarei.
Phillips is urging people to come and support the event.
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"Come and support us so that we can be here for another 40 years, he told Rural News.
Phillips says this year's field days will be the biggest ever. He also expects a good crowd given the farming sector, especially beef farmers, are doing well.
"The farming sector particularly sheep and beef and Fonterra will be returning capital to farmers in the coming months," he says.
"When the agricultural community is prosperous, then the exhibitors have good sales."
Phillips notes that tractor sales are also up, another sign of a healthy agricultural sector.
On farm, he says weather has been kinder to most Northland farmers this year.
Above average rainfall has kept grass growth up and means emergency water won't be carted to the event.
Phillips says water supply isn't an issue this year.
"It's almost too much rain now," he adds.
The 40th year anniversary theme had also been adopted for the Fosters Home Décor silage bale painting competition.
Northland Field Days coordinator Luciana Schwarz says there are three categories for registrations: individuals, pairs and groups of three to seven people.
She says entries closed on January 30 and all entrants must adhere to the 40th anniversary theme. Painting must be done between the 10th & 24th February.
Entrants will be provided with paint, paintbrushes, trays and waters. Everything must be returned when the project finishes.
The Sponsor's Choice trophy, which is kept a the Northland Field Days headquarters, comes with a $100 Fosters Home Décor Voucher.
For the top individual painting, where one silage bale is painted, the winner gets $100 plus a $50 Fosters vouchers.
For the top pair, who must submit three silage bales painted mural style, they get $200 and $50 Fosters vouchers.
