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Tocal Field Days back on 2021 calendar

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After COVID-19 forced its cancellation last year, the region’s largest agricultural exhibition, Tocal Field Days (TFD), is back in 2021.

Tagged “today’s farming on show”, TFD gives farmers and farm suppliers a chance to get together, share ideas and to buy from each other.

Local community groups also benefit from grants issued from the event’s proceeds – a record $40,000 was handed out in 2019.

The three-day extravaganza will take place at Tocal Agricultural Centre from Friday 30 April to Sunday 2 May.

Event manager Wendy Franklin said the return of TFD was great news for farmers and the community.

“Tocal connects everyone, educating people about the importance of agriculture and where food comes from,” she explained.

“After the drought and then COVID-19, it is time to celebrate and have some fun – in a COVIDSafe way of course.”

Ms Franklin said all the favourite Tocal activities would be back including the piglet races, fencing demonstrations, sheep shearing, horse course display, the working dogs, motorbikes, quads and side-by-sides. 

Food, wine, art and craft displays, fashion parades, gardening talks, cooking demonstrations and workshops for kids and adults add to the atmosphere, too.

The homestead will be open and is the location for the gum boot throwing competition. 

Entertainment is provided by local school students who are paid through the Talent @ Tocal program.

In 2021, there’ll be robotics and drone demonstrations as part of a special feature on future farming. 

“We are continuing our focus on bees and bee-keeping, which proved so popular last event,” Ms Franklin said.

“Tocal Field Days will be a COVIDSafe event with check in and social distancing required.

“Free TFD-branded facemasks will also be at the gate.”

Tickets are now on sale at www.tocalfielddays.com

Alternatively, they can be bought at the gate.

Daily tickets are $18 for adults, $2 for kids aged five to 16.

Children under five are free.

A Comeback Pass to re-enter the following day is $12.

Friday is also Seniors Day with $15 entry for seniors with government issued ID.

Every online ticket purchase provides an entry to win a scenic joy flight.

Visitors can go in the draw to win a $5,000 Murray River cruise with entry forms at several locations throughout the event.

“Once you have bought a ticket, many activities and competitions are free, making it an affordable day out for the family,” Ms Franklin said.

A free park and ride shuttle bus from Maitland Railway Station via Lorn will run every hour to make it easy for people to attend.

For those who really like to make an entrance, they can pre-book and pay for a scenic helicopter flight from Lorn to the visitor gate.

For further visit www.tocalfielddays.com or phone 4939 8820.

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