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The Southern Hemisphere's largest agricultural event, with 1059 exhibitors spread across 1559 sites, is back at Mystery Creek. The Country has compiled a handy guide to help you navigate the big event.
The Country at Fieldays
Make sure you pop in and visit The Country! Jamie Mackay, Rowena Duncum and
Sam "Lashes" Casey, along with Andy Thompson will be at Fieldays. You can find them at the Village Green, opposite the main stage.
The Country will be broadcast live from 12-1pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. You can listen on Radio Sport, Newstalk ZB or on iHeart Radio.
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Transport
Looking to make your way to Mystery Creek? Whether it be by car, bus, boat, or helicopter – here's all you need to know.
Those wanting to beat the queues can explore alternative transport options designed to deliver people straight to the gate.
To stay on top of traffic, head to the Fieldays Facebook page for transport updates as well as NZTA's website with the keyword Fieldays for up to date traffic and travel times.
Travelling by bus into Fieldays is another popular method of transport.
Fieldays 2019 ticket holders can catch any Hamilton City or regional (Raglan, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville, Huntly) bus that will take riders first to the Hamilton Transport Centre, then straight to the Fieldays gate.
Buses depart from Hamilton Transport Centre approximately every 30 minutes, from 8am to 11am, with buses returning from 1pm to 5pm.
Fieldays also offers free Park 'N Ride services located in the northern carpark at The Base, Hamilton and the BMX Club on Milton Street, Cambridge.
Simply park your car securely, present your Fieldays 2019 ticket, and hop on the next bus leaving for Fieldays. These buses depart approximately every 30 minutes from 8am onwards.
For those wishing to drive themselves to Fieldays 2019, parking is free and open from 5:30am – 10pm.
Organisers advise an early arrival for visitors driving cars, in order to find a park sooner and start exploring Fieldays without delay.
Visitors will need to take care on the busy roads around the Mystery Creek area.
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Fieldays volunteers do their best to get people in and out of the car parks as fast as possible, but the high volumes of traffic may cause delays.
Mobility parking will be available through Gate 0 for CCS Mobility Parking Permit holders.
Due to a limited number of mobility scooters available for hire, advance bookings are recommended through Life Unlimited on 0800 008 011. These scooters can be located at Gate 1.
For those who wish to fly to Fieldays, the event's preferred supplier is Helicorp.
There is a designated helicopter landing zone beside the Waikato River jetty, located near Gate 7.
Further information and flight arrangements can be found on their website www.helicorp.co.nz or contact Helicorp on 07 848 3447.
Another great option for avoiding traffic and being delivered to the gate is to travel to Fieldays by boat.
Enjoy a trip down the Waikato River and arrive at the Waikato River Jetty near Gate 7.
Catch the Waikato River Explorer from Hamilton Gardens or the CamJet jetboat from Narrows Lane – visit www.waikatoexplorer.co.nz or www.camjet.co.nz for more details or to book.
Events
Fieldays Rural Catch is back for 2019 giving eight single rural-based kiwis the chance to get off farm, meet some great people and experience Fieldays in a unique way.
The National Excavator Competition returns, along with the crowd favourites Fieldays Tractor Pull and Fencing competition and the STIHL Timbersports competition.
Those interested in the latest in innovations should visit the Fieldays Innovation Centre.
Here, entrants in the prestigious Fieldays Innovation Awards display their creations for the public to catch a glimpse into the technology that could change the future of farming.
Family entertainment can be found throughout the site with a petting zoo, vintage tractor displays, Doug the Digger, and family friendly activities in the Heritage Village including; blacksmiths farrier demonstrations, spinning, weaving and felting activities.
The new Herringbone Restaurant, Café and Bar will serve up some great local produce and refreshments, and a chance to catch up with friends and family, sit down, relax and reflect on the day.
Visitors will get to experience Fieldays in a new way this year with the Fieldays Explorer band which acts as a personal business card.
Pick yours up at the gate, register it on the app, with an exhibitor or onsite and head off to enter competitions and sign up for information.
Once your band is registered, you go in the draw to win a brand-new Isuzu D-Max Ute with some other great prizes also up for grabs.
This year you'll be able to save your ticket to the app and access your Fieldays Explorer band content that is retrieved during the event.
The Official Fieldays App has been improved for 2019 with the same great features including saving your favourite exhibitors, routing around the site, planning your day via the timetable and pinning your car.
This year you'll be able to save your ticket to the app and access your Fieldays Explorer band content that is retrieved during the event.
Weather
NIWA, the official forecaster to Fieldays, says the weather is likely to be a mixed bag for the event with Thursday and Friday looking to be the best days, weather-wise, to visit.
Forecaster Ben Noll says Fieldays 2019 shouldn't be a washout, with a few showers likely on the Wednesday and Saturday, and fine weather for Thursday and Friday, albeit with possible morning fog.
NIWA's daily forecasts:
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with rain developing. Max 15. Min 10.
• Thursday: Fog possible early with gradual clearing throughout the day. Max 15. Min 5.
• Friday: Cool with fog possible early, giving way to sunshine. Max 16. Min 9.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy with showers possible. Max 15. Min 8.
Important information
Find your way around with the Fieldays site map here.
Need the Fieldays app? Download it here.
Fieldays 2019: Dates, Tickets & Hours
Hours
Fieldays runs from Wednesday, 12 June to Saturday, 15 June, 2019.
Gates open daily Wednesday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm.
Tickets:
Adult General Admission 1 Day – $30.00
Child (5-14 years) General Admission 1 Day – $15.00
(A child is 5 years to 14 years. If you are 15 on the day of the event you are classed as an adult).
Child (under 5 years) – Free
Purchase tickets here.
Find our more about Fieldays on the official website here.
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