While Tasmanians were hunting for Easter eggs over the long weekend, the Agfest committee was working hard to prepare Quercus Park for Agfest next month.
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The Agfest committee has been planning for the three-day event for months, but organisation picked up last weekend to ensure everything was completed for the fields days in just over two weeks.
Committee chairwoman Kate Birch said it was action stations for the committee and Rural Youth volunteers.
“A group of 12 of us us were putting in some serious hours [at Quercus Park] over Easter painting the white boards and laminating the signs that will appear throughout the site,” Ms Birch said.
“We also had to maintain the site so we were weeding and marking out sites and doing general bits and pieces,” she said.
Hazel Bros delivered more 500 tonnes of fine crushed rock for floor upgrades in the TasNetwork Craft Pavilions.
Visitors will also notice upgrades to the Betta Milk Unique Taste pavilion, with two concrete walkways added for easier access.
Agfest is on May 4-6, with Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner and Channel 7’s Sunrise breakfast program visiting on the Thursday.
Sunrise will be broadcasting live from Agfest on Thursday morning.
“The last time Sunrise broadcast from Agfest was in 2008 and I’m not sure the Governor had ever been,” Ms Birch said.
While Agfest is notorious for its muddy walkways due to May rains, Ms Birch said the weather does not change a thing for the organising committee.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s rain, hail or shine. About 80 per cent of the site is covered by marquees. I suggest you wear gumboots, not high heels,” she laughed.
The Agfest committee hopes for around 60,000 people to walk through the gates over the course of the three field days.
“We did a great job last year with 58,000 and know numbers will be 57,000 to 60,000,” Ms Birch said.
“I don’t know if we’ll get to the 2015 record of 79,000, but if it’s about 58,000 we’ll be happy,” she said.
For more information on Agfest visit www.agfest.com.au or contact Rural Youth Tasmania on 6331 6154.