LIFESTYLER
February 26 2013
Kaipara
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Records tumble at Field Days by Paul Campbell
With more than 25,000 through the gates, the Northland Field Days is on track to setting new records, especially once the receipts are fully counted by exhibitors. Visitor numbers were up by 1,000 over last year’s event, and according to major exhibitors, the punters were in a mood to spend. “When all our paper transactions are translated into completed contracts, then we are looking at the Field Days event generating somewhere in the region of three to four million dollars in business in the foreseeable future,” said one agricultural service exhibitor, who asked not to be named for commercial reasons. “For that reason you can be assured we will be back here next year.” Visitor numbers were boosted on Saturday, when 11,000 came to the show, enjoying 25 degrees, cloudless skies and plenty of free entertainment including tractor pull, lawnmower races, dog trials, logger sports and quad bike contests. It was in sharp contrast to the boisterous winds and weather which closed the event early last year. The huge crowds also spilled over into an economic boom for Dargaville and regional accommodation and other service providers. “We were packed out with visitors all over the place, including many exhibitors and some were even in tents,” said Parkview Motel and Dargaville Campervan Park and Cabins operator, James Brackenbury. “In fact you couldn’t get accommodation at any price, unless you had managed to stay privately somewhere.”
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Blue skies contrasted last year’s heavy rain with an action packed field days
Farmers of New Zealand operations director, Bill Guest, said the overall quality of exhibits seemed a major success factor. “The quality of exhibits and the marquees have improved dramatically over the years and with reports of returns to these people in good revenues generated, well then their efforts deserve to be rewarded.” Field Days President Lew Duggan says plans will begin immediately for next year’s event, which will be held from Thursday February 30 to Saturday March 1, to work in with regional field days in Gore and Fielding. “The 2014 field days will be bigger and better than this year’s event,” he
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said. “The committee is working on some really exciting changes. I can’t wait for next year to roll round.” The ANZ Bank and More FM took out the bank and business house competitions when the gates opened last Thursday. Prizes and giveaways at the event included a motorbike and a wide variety of farm-related produce. Field Days organisers and exhibitors also gave away thousands in prizes each day. Joe Danher from Tamaterau won the Thursday gate prize of $4,800 Chris Longville from Warkworth won prizes worth $2,800 on Thursday and Sarah Bird from Dargaville won prizes worth $1,600. continued on page 14…
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