THE Mildura Field Days, which started out as a gadget day celebrating the ingenuity of dried-fruit growers, has grown beyond its roots.
And over the next two days, more than 120 exhibitors will be on hand at the Mildura Racecourse for the annual community event, which has been running for more than 70 years.
Mildura Field Days co-ordinator Jo Rodda said there was a huge focus this year on encouraging families to attend, introducing children to a potential future in farming.
“There will also be a lot of fun activities for the kids with exciting science demonstrations by Fizzics Education, free face-painting, wildlife demonstrations, balloons, pony rides, a jumping castle, and regular performances by Get Your Groove On, just to name a few,” Ms Rodda said.
“Kids can get involved in the Future Farmers Trail again this year, filling their goody bags as they visit the specially marked stalls along the trail.
“We have a great variety of exhibitors from local companies to those from interstate. The site will be abuzz with action and excitement with so much to see and do.”
Ms Rodda said there would be plenty of tractors on display, including a few old ones from the Tractor Restoration and Appreciation Club of Sunraysia.
There will also be all the latest innovations in farming to see, including some new green products such as the New Zealand-designed all-steel electric ATV by Tuatara.
The Field Days will also host the Heavy Vehicle Road Safety Forum with guest speakers from the National Heavy Vehicles Regulator, TransportNSW, Ambulance Victoria and the police.
Black Snake Productions and EnviroEDU will host interactive wildlife displays throughout the two days, featuring birds of prey, mammals, snakes and even a crocodile that is designed to not only entertain but also educate audiences about Australia’s unique wildlife.
Car enthusiasts are not left out with members of the Mallee Sunset Ute Club joining in with a display of members’ vehicles and a competition.
The economic benefit to the region is significant with participants coming from not only the tri-state area but as far afield as Western Australia.
But Ms Rodda said the social aspect of the event was just as important.
“For people who primarily work on the land to be able to come together and have a day out catching up with people they may not have seen for a year, it’s pretty hard to put a value on that,” she said.
The event starts at 9am on Friday and continues through until 4pm on Saturday.
