Agfest celebrates 25th birthday
Every year on the first Thurday, Friday and Saturday of May, the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania host the most amazing event in Tassie.
I might sound a little biased, and you might be right because for 10 years (with the exception of the last 2) I had been on the Agfest organising committee.
The first ever Agfest was held in 1983 at a motor racetrack at Symmons Plains. It was a single day event and attracted 9000 visitors and 100 exhibitors.
Now 25 years on Agfest draws in excess of 75,000 visitors and 700 exhibitors over three days, and is growing every year.
Agfest now has its own home located via Carrick in the North of Tasmania called “Quercus” Rural Youth Park, which features many purpose built facilities.
Every year between 30-50 committee members give up thousands of hours of their own personal time to organise the event. The average age of the organising committee is 24. Volunteers freely give up their annual leave or take unpaid leave to ensure the event runs smoothly each year.
Profits from the event not only finance the organisation, but administer and support programs like Rural Financial Counselling Services in Tasmania. This service is provided to the Tasmania’s rural community free of charge.
Here are some statistics which might intrigue you about Agfest:
- Contributes more than $25 million into Tasmania’s economy annually
- The average patron walks about 6 kms for every day they attend.
- Has 10 kms of formed roads
- It has more than 70 flushing toilets
- There are more than 700 power points
- During the event there is enough toilet paper used to stretch from Devonport to Smithton
For further information, including how to get there, visit the Agfest website www.agfest.com.au
Over the coming weeks Rural Connections will feature some of the people, businesses and organisations who you can see at this years event.
Having been a volunteer for 10 years, Agfest holds a special place in my heart.
I have made some amazing friends through my involvement.
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