Huge response to East Otago field days

East Otago Field Days organiser Paul Mutch contemplates the Palmerston site which will come alive over the next few days. Photo / Gregor Richardson

Moo-ve over Waimumu, East Otago could become the epicentre for southern rural celebrations from today.

The first East Otago Field Days, an offshoot of the expanded Palmerston and Waihemo A&P Association show, has proved far more popular with exhibitors than organisers first expected.

Association president Paul Mutch, who also chairs the field day co-ordinating committee, said the interest from exhibitors had added ''a real buzz and excitement'' to preparations for the two-day agricultural festival.

''We had thought 30 [exhibitors], and then we thought maybe by a second guess 60 - we now have over 100,'' Mr Mutch said.

The A&P show had ''always been a mix'' of livestock, entertainment, events and trade exhibitions but organisers had decided to ''specialise'' and form a dedicated field days, especially with the growth of equestrian events at the now two-day Waitangi weekend A&P show.

Exhibitors, largely from Christchurch to Invercargill, were also coming from as far away as Auckland, Mr Mutch said, representing industries ''right across the spectrum'' - from tractor dealers to tertiary education providers to solar energy companies.

Even clothing would be featured at the inaugural event - fashion parades would show styles from women's fashion to outdoor wear.

A beef and lamb cooking demonstration would also be held.

Primary Industries minister Nathan Guy would be on hand to present awards for innovation to local businesses Skevingtons Contracting Ltd, potato farmers Gary and Katrina Dodd - who developed vertical integration in the preparation and retailing of their potato chips - and East Otago High School for innovation in its Gateway programme for rural high school pupils.

Mr Mutch said Palmerston was well situated geographically to draw crowds but support from locals would be a big part of the rural celebration's success.

''We're at that junction between Central Otago and the South and the North - it's working well for us. And of course, it's a dedicated community,'' he said. ''That combination really works.''