The North Queensland Field Days (NQFD) reached the 50 year milestone this year with the event drawing thousands through the gates of the Stuart Correctional Farm Reserve in Townsville on May 18-19.
Close to 300 exhibitors supported the field days which featured everything from heavy machinery to shovels and spanners to interest anyone with agricultural interests.
NQFD secretary Vicki Williams praised the loyalty of the exhibitors who have supported the event since its inception as well as the scores of businesses that have joined the event through the years.
“This year we’ve had a lot of new exhibitors participate from as far away as Victoria and New South Wales,” Ms Williams said.
“We’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the level of local visitor support shown this year and the amount of merchandise sold at the event,” he said.
She said the good thing about the NQFD’s is that you can always pick up a bargain.
“There are always specials on trucks, machinery and all the other equipment that’s on display.”
Ms Williams said being a non-profit business, the NQFD committee always looks forward to being able to hand over the cheque to a business, fundraising drive or charity organisation in the North Queensland community in need of funding.
At the 2014 NQFD’s exhibitors donated $86,000 of hay to drought stricken farmers in Hughenden, Richmond and Julia Creek.
“The recipient of this year’s exhibitor donation will be the Salvation Army’s alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation facility in Townsville
“The field days also provide a great fundraising opportunity for the various clubs that man the food and drinks stands over the course of the event.”
She said while exhibitor numbers were down on previous years the old NQFD motto of “Meet your mates at the field day” certainly rang true in 2016.