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The Topp Twins perform at Agfest West Coast 2020 in Greymouth.
A West Coast agricultural festival kicked off Friday with an expected turnout of 20,000, the largest post-Covid mass gathering on the South Island.
The event was supposed to take place in March, but had to be canceled due to Covid-19.
AgFest West Coast is the largest event of its kind in the region, with 400 exhibitors expected at Greymouth Airfield on Friday and Saturday.
Co-owner Andy Thompson said it was a relief to finally be able to enjoy the fifth biennial event.
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“It’s going fantastic, exceeding our wildest expectations yet. The numbers we’re getting on Friday are better than what we got at our busiest Saturday afternoon last time, when they absolutely hit us, “he said.
Thompson said it was an opportunity for companies to showcase products and new technology to West Coast farmers, with artists like the Topp Twins offering entertainment.
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AgFest West Coast (LR) organizers Adam Berry, Tracey Anderson, Andy Thompson and Anna-Marie Thompson.
He said a large crowd was expected from Christchurch after the cancellation of the Canterbury Show.
“I see farmers from all over the South Island. We had people flying in from Southland this morning and landing at the site, so it’s pretty unique, “he said.
Chefs vying for the title of “farm cook” will compete on Saturday and school children from all over the coast have submitted their entries for the creative wellies and coloring contests.
The AgFest owners have invested $ 200,000 to upgrade the site at Greymouth Airfield to improve facilities.
Gray District Mayor Tania Gibson said the event was a positive boost to the West Coast economy after a difficult year.
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Hordes of people are expected to attend the festival.
“It’s amazing. I’ve been down there all day and it’s heading flat. It’s just a little celebration that finally turned out bigger and better than we expected,” he said.
Farmlands Area Manager George Millar said the company is proud to support AgFest for another year.
“It’s a fantastic event because it bridges the gap between urban and rural lifestyles.”
Farming on the west coast had been a challenge in recent years, but farmers held high with Westland dairy sales hitting record commodity prices this season, Millar said.
“Westland dairy farmers are now receiving payments on par with Fonterra, and coastal beef and sheep farmers are enjoying the same record prices as the rest of the industry.”
Thompson said that Covid restrictions were being enforced and everyone entering the grounds was asked to log in or use the contact tracing app.
With the expected influx of visitors on the coast, the West Coast District Board of Health established a Covid testing center on the campus of Te Nikau, Gray Hospital and Health Center in Greymouth.
Manager David Smith said the pop-up test center would be open starting Friday for three days between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“We will be here for anyone with symptoms to come forward and get tested.
“While we believe the risk of community transmission remains low, we expect an influx of people visiting the coast from all over New Zealand,” he said.
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The new Te Nikau, Gray Hospital and Health Center in Greymouth.
