TOCAL FIELD DAYS 2011 - Information, Education, Entertainemnt

From Friday April 29 to Sunday May 1, the Tocal Agricultural Centre will come alive for Tocal Field Days. Every year, on the first weekend of May, the three day event plays host to a range of activities aimed at farmers, farming enthusiasts, and people looking for a great day out.

Tocal is in N.S.W. Australia, 180 km North of Sydney via the F3 Freeway. It is 103 km from Muswellbrook (about one and a half hours drive), and is 14 km North of Maitland on the Paterson/Dungog road. The nearest large railway station is Maitland. The Newcastle Airport is at Williamtown, 50 minutes from Tocal.

Working Dog Dsiplay

This year’s line up of activities and events include the best deals on farm machinery and equipment, an extensive entertainment program, talks and lectures on everything from chooks and veggie gardens to regional solutions for a sustainable future, craft demonstrations, piglet races, food and wine tastings, cattle dog trials, extended animal nursery and much more.

                                                                                                       

Participants will also be able to take part in a variety of hands on demonstrations including fencing and a new feature for this year, dry stone wall building. This ancient craft, which is currently experiencing resurgence, will be demonstrated through the building of a wall throughout the weekend using stone gathered from the Tocal site.

Event Manager, Wendy Franklin said that the demonstrations and talks were an integral part of Tocal Field Days and had set it apart from other events.

‘It is a great opportunity for people to hear the latest innovations and advancements in agriculture from the industry experts, and also from passionate farmers such as the Hunter Biodynamic group who are keen to share their knowledge. ‘I believe the ‘Home Grown’ feature will be very popular this year as growing produce at home brings out the farmer in all of us – visitors will see it can be achieved in any backyard’

The “Tocal Ute Muster” will also return for a second year this time over two days, and will feature utes of all shapes, sizes and vintages.

With an overarching theme of ‘Paddock to Plate’, the three day event will showcase everything farming from how to grow great produce to preparing and serving a delicious meal. The Bake or Burn competition will be the highlight of the Good Food and Wine area. In conjunction with Hunter Valley Slow Food Movement, this competition will give both cooking enthusiasts and budding chefs the opportunity to demonstrate their skills.

Ms Franklin said that farming and agriculture would always be the mainstay of the event, but by offering an extensive program that includes activities for kids, foodies, students and craft enthusiasts, Tocal Field Days has become so much more; “Tocal Field Days prides itself on offering patrons a variety of exhibitors and also caters to those who just want to enjoy a taste of country life. By offering a range of experiences including cooking competitions and demonstrations on how to build your own garden, people from all walks of life will enjoy this great three day event.”

For the first time children coming in with a paying adult can enter the event free of charge. They will also be given a code to try and win one of three Treasure Chests. The new Children’s Park area will be a hive activity with a range of new features on a larger site.

The 2011 Tocal Field Days offers the latest innovations for the rural sector as well as country hospitality and entertainment. Entry is $12 for seniors and $17 for adults, kids under 16 accompanied by a paying adult can enter for free.

For further information see the website-  http://www.tocalfielddays.com