BALINGUP’S 25th Small Farm Field Day was a smash hit on Saturday April 18, attracting thousands of visitors to the small town to soak up the sights and experience the many different aspects of farming.
The normally quiet town became a metropolis throughout the day, with paddocks filling with thousands of parked cars and crowds pouring into the grounds for the field day.
Sunny weather and a festival atmosphere prevailed. The always popular animal exhibits offered visitors the chance to see and pet poultry, llamas, alpacas, sheep and cows, as well as see live shearing demonstrations and learn about related arts such as spinning. Visitors could also check out blacksmithing and woodturning before venturing on to have a look at farm machinery and a colourful labyrinth of market stalls.
Displays by wildlife rescue and conservation groups gave out information about landcare, and allowed people to learn about and even hold an endangered western ring-tail possum and a number of orphaned joeys.
The fashion tent was another focal point for the day, with crowds gathering to see the latest designs from the Bunbury Felting group, Sally Young Designs and Jalbrook Alpaca knitwear.
Talks at the Black Stump by local and visiting gardening and agriculture authorities provided interested visitors with expert information to take home to their own farms and gardens.
The Balingup Small Farm Field Day’s 25th anniversary was a huge success that has cemented the event’s place once again as one of the biggest and best events in the South West.
