Tocal Field Days 2016

Tocal Field Days visitor entry

I was fortunate to attend the first day of the Tocal Field Days yesterday. This is an annual three day event held at the Tocal Agricultural College in the Hunter Valley of NSW Australia. It is on again today Saturday 30 April, with the last day on tomorrow Sunday 1 May.

Most people drive to the Field days, as it is just 14km and a 20 minute drive from Maitland. Volunteers efficiently guide the large numbers of cars arriving into organised free parking areas next to the Field Day site. Shuttle buses go around the furtherest parts of the car park to collect people and take them to the visitor entry gates.

However, this year I decided to use public transport to get to the Tocal Field Days. My well prepared travel plans went a little bit astray when the train trip from Muswellbrook was replaced by a longer trip by bus due to track works. (Mental thought - why doesn't The Australian Rail Track Corporation check out what major community events are being held to avoid track works clashing with them?)

The good news is there was a free shuttle bus that went from the Maitland Station to the Tocal Field Days. These travel on the hour from 9am, and return on half past the hour up to 4.30pm.

There is lots to see and do at the Tocal Field Days. There are displays, demonstrations, talks, competitions, and entertainment. 

Mowers... and more mowers

Exhibitors display the latest products for farmers on large and small acreages. Backyard farmers are also catered for. However, you do not need to be a farmer to come along to the Field Days, as there is something of interest for everyone. As well as numerous tractors on display, I noticed several stands with various types of lawn mowers, ranging from push mowers to ride on ones.

The Lifestyle Marquee has products for the home. The Good Food and Wine Area inside and near the College Hall has a range of wonderful food and drinks for sampling and buying. The Craft Area in and around the College buildings has various handcrafts on display and for sale. There is an area near the entrance to the Field Days site that features The Land, Plants and Environment. Of interest here are plants for sale from nurseries for the home garden and farm. 

Demonstrations include quad bike safety demonstrations, working dog displays, sheep shearing, worm farming, and a kitchen fire demo. The beekeeping demonstrations were a real buzz. 

llamas

There are fun things to see, such as piglet racing and a billy boiling competition that anyone can enter. Local talent is showcased, and various school concert and marching bands perform. You can listen to poets who have entered the Bush Poetry Competition.

The animal nursery section has various young animals on display, with some available for purchase, These include chooks, ducks, sheep, cattle, goats, and llamas. I especially liked the miniature goats and silky chooks. Down in the covered horse arena various horse displays were staged.

Tocal Homstead

I enjoyed looking through the Tocal Homestead that was open for inspection, and listening to one of the history talks held on the front lawn under the shade of one of the large trees. I had a horse and dray ride and saw a blacksmith in action. In contrast to all the history on show was a display of drones that can be programmed and used for farm monitoring.  

Snacks, meals and refreshments are on sale from commercial caterers, local schools and community groups. These are to be found in Eat Street, The Wedge, Children's Park, and the Good Food and Wine Area. Sit down meals are available in the Dining Rooms, and Devonshire Teas are provided by a local CWA group in the Chapel, and by the Friends of Tocal at the Tocal Homestead. I particularly enjoyed the scones freshly cooked in the wood oven at the Homestead.

Federal Scout 1927

As well as all the brand new modern farm machinery at the Tocal Field Days, there is also a display of vintage farm machinery from much earlier days.

On the home front there are home decor products, clothing, hats, and a Bake or Burn Competition. Children are well catered for with various activities they can join in.

A special event on Sunday is the Ute Muster, where people are invited to come and enter their utes in the various sections of the competition and be awarded prizes. 

A full list of exhibitors, maps and daily programs can be found in the 40 page Tocal Field Days Guide Book. This can be viewed online at the Tocal Field Days Website, or picked up at the entry gates.

"Harry" pulling the dray

Tocal Field Days 2016

Address: 815 Tocal Road, Paterson NSW 2421

Admission: Adults $18, Seniors $13, Children $1.

Come back pass: $10 to re-enter the following day  

Gate Open: Fri, Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 9am-4pm

Parking : free

Website: http://www.tocalfielddays.com/