Scene set for bumper Southern Field Days

Secretary-event manager Sharon Paterson directs proceedings as stall holders prepare for the Southern Field Days at Waimumu. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery

Amid the hustle and bustle at the Southern Field Days site at Waimumu yesterday, there was also an air of calm.

Those responsible for organising the event - which starts tomorrow and runs through to Friday - were looking decidedly laid-back.

"It's actually been quite relaxed because we've had no big projects. You just keep trucking ...you roll with it. There are 25 letters in the alphabet - there's always a plan E, F, G, H whatever,'' secretary-event manager Sharon Paterson said.

This year's event has attracted about 765 siteholders, which was about the same as the last event in 2016.

The crowd then was estimated at 40,000 and it was hoped to have a similar one, or hopefully a few more, this time, Mrs Paterson said.

It is held every two years and planning began immediately after the event was held, with a debriefing held which meant they could have an even better field day the next time around.

It was the third field days Mrs Paterson has been involved with and she enjoyed a challenge, which was why the position appealed to her. "I like something that's creative. Technically, this is really quite creative,'' she said.

But there was no way she could do the job without the backup of a "fantastic team'' and she had that, she said.

There were 25 in total, including herself and a caretaker, and it was all about really good management, she said.

Despite the countless hours involved, organising committee chairman Logan Evans was upbeat, saying it was an "awesome'' event.

The economic benefits for the region were difficult to quantify but accommodation was booked out in the area and there were all the other associated spin-offs.

Mr Evans, who farms sheep and beef in the Otamita Valley with wife Nicole, said the committee would like to claim it was the second largest field days in the country.

Money raised over the years had been used to purchase the 60ha site along with building the CowHouse Construction Agri Centre and other infrastructure.

Events this year included a Southern Man competition with eight competitors taking part in a range of events, including performing a rhyme or rap, building a planter box and potting herbs, completing an obstacle course, and beer testing.

A speed shear on Friday at 2pm was featuring champion shearer Rowland Smith, with judge Sir David Fagan, while a "rematch'' was being held between radio personality Jamie Mackay and National leader Bill English.

Mr Evans advised those attending to purchase tickets from Farmlands to speed up their entry through the gate, and to grab a ride with friends as car parking space was at a premium. A Southern Field Days app has also been developed.