Update:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Organisers have thanked the crowds for supporting Mallee Machinery Field Days 2019, with attendance numbers set to remain strong.
The two-day event in Speed featured exhibits from farming machinery dealers big and small, and secretary Andrew McLean said Wednesday's gate takings were up on the previous year's. He said it followed approximately 6000 people attending 2018's event, and that organisers had previously been hoping to see 4000 people come through the gates in 2019.
"Attendance numbers for Thursday looked average if not better," he said. "The exhibitors I've spoken to are happy with what's happened over the past two days, so now it's a matter of taking interested people's names and following it up."
"We allow students in for free and a number of schools have excursions here or allow students to have days off. We have also got people suggesting already they want to book for next year."
Mr McLean estimated there were more than 300 exhibitors at 2019's event, from as far afield as Greece.
"We'll also be helping out 20 community groups with money, including St Jospeh's Catholic Primary School Hopetoun, who helped us out with catering, and Hopetoun and Ouyen Men's Sheds. It's their major fundraising event for the year," he said.
Aside from the machinery, the 2019 field days featured a craft and interest pavillion with exhibitors including Pomonal's Five Ducks Farm and Warracknabeal disability non-profit Woodbine Inc. which sold cards, hand-warmers and novelty items.
While Mr McLean said the committee had not considered extending the event's hours, as Wimmera Machinery Field Days did for its 2019 event in March.
"I think our reputation helps us out (in attracting attendees)," he said. "Just the fact people can see the latest technology out there."
This year's event was the 41st annual field days at Speed. Quambatook's Brett Hosking, chair of national representative body GrainGrowers, opened the event on Wednesday.
Wednesday: Now in it's 41st year the Mallee Machinery Field Days has geared up for another massive two-day event.
There are 300 to 350 exhibitors lined up for the event with all the sites filled.
Organisers said that they were hoping to see around 4000 people walk through the gates over the two days - Wednesday July 31 and Thursday August 1.
"We are adding some exhibitors to a few small spots that we only use if we have to," Mallee Machinery Field Days secretary Andrew McLean said.
"We have plenty of big exhibitors and there's a few to be confirmed or released prior to or on the day."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.