Mitchell, Ollie and Sam Hughes from Wellington demonstrated why gumboots were the hot ticket item last Friday when they were snapped playing in the mud. Photo: Rebecca Sharpe
Gumboots were the hot item to buy as grey skies threatened to open up at last week’s Mudgee Small Farm Field Days.
More than 450 exhibitors travelled to Mudgee to showcase their businesses’ products to a crowd of both locals and others from afar.
Stalls lined the roads offering fashion, food, plants, machinery, tools and livestock.
Co-organiser Steve Garland said the number of exhibitors had increased approximately 10 per cent from last year.
“It’s usually been pretty consistent but this year we saw a pretty good increase,” he said.
Though the weather appeared miserable, Mr Garland said he didn’t expect that to affect the numbers too much.
“On any given year between 18,000 to 20,000 people are expected to walk through the gates, but we always like to think we are attracting more each and every year.”
Shopping was not all that was on the cards for field day goers the Western Magazine Yard Dog Trials proved popular with more than 110 dogs being put through their paces.
While hot food and coffee was on the menu for most, ice cream and lollies were still a big hit for both young and old.
Sludge outside the animal nursery was a sure sign of its popularity with a range of cute animals for children to see.
“It takes more than a bit of mud on their boots to stop people coming to the field days,” Mr Garland said.
Three big days of setting up prior to the event ensured the field day site was prepared for anything.
Extra bales of hay and wooden pallets were on hand to prevent the crowd from becoming “bogged” while at the event.