AGFEST has a number of special features planned to interest visitors:
The Dairy Feature, located at the end of Main St, is a showcase for the state's finest dairy products.
The Aurora Craft Pavilions, in the northeast corner of the site, house a wide range of craft items and ideas.
The Rural Youth Craft Fashion Parade Pavilion hosts both fashion parades throughout each day of Agfest.
The Unique Tastes Fine Foods Pavilion, in South St, between Fourth and Fifth avenues, offers the chance to sample fine food and wines.
Sheep dog trials run during all three days of Agfest opposite the Dairy Feature at the eastern end of Main St.
A new Equine Expo will make its debut this year, located east of the craft pavilions.
Turning junk into joy
THE Ag Art Wear competition for students, a popular feature at Agfest, shows off garments made by recycling farm yard junk into wearable art forms.
The emphasis is on garments that are totally made from items found on farms, with no pre-made items allowed.
There are prizes of Coles-Myer gift vouchers for first, second andthird in each section.
Sections are grades seven to 10,grades 11-12 and tertiary/polytechnic (18 and over) and entries close this Friday.
Judging will take place prior to the Ag Artwear fashion parade at noon on the final day of Agfest.
Tasmanian entrants will be invited to enter their creations in the national competition held at this year's Elmore field days on October 5-7.
For more details, phone co-ordinator Anna McMahon on 0409 934 643.
Axe safety measure
VISITORS to Agfest will have the chance to see a range of wood splitters from Whitlands Engineering, home of the Superaxe and the Aussie Chopper.
The Aussie Chopper features a two-handed control system guaranteed to keep hands away from the axe.
Both controls must have pressure applied to them before the axe will move - if either of the controls is released, the axe stops immediately.
For more details, phone (03) 5729 7577.
Tough workwear
ORINGI Protection Wear, a mail-order company based in Healesville, will display its range of waterproof outdoor workwear at Agfest.
The garments, designed for farmers, are made in Belgium by a company set up in the 1950s to produce protective clothing for workers on North Sea oil rigs.
Oringi stocks non-split pants and bib overalls, raincoats, vests, aprons, dairy sleeves, dairy smocks, equestrian waterproofs and more.
For more details, visit the Oringa Protection Wear website.
