Agricultural diversity draws crowds

West Coasters enjoyed an impressive display of agricultural diversity at the region's biggest rural show last weekend.

An estimated 7000 people attended the Hokitika-based AgFest 2014 held in Cass Square, which showcased more than 200 stands and 250 exhibitors.

The biennial show, which made its debut in 2012, attracted participants from as far as the North Island and Southland for two days, Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5.

AgFest 2014 organiser Andy Thompson said the show was an opportunity to bring the West Coast community and businesses together and it had grown considerably.

''An event like this requires the support of the local community and local council who've been fantastic. ''I think everyone realised how important it was for the local community in July.''

This year's AgFest featured farming seminars on a variety of topics from weather forecasting, work safety, succession planning, and calf-rearing to a special rural women's expo centre featuring designer clothing, cosmetics and homewares.

''It was important to recognise the importance of women in the rural sector and for women to want to come along as well, not just the men,'' Mr Thompson said.

The food and entertainment pavilion included cooking demonstrations from celebrity chef Jo Seager and music from Canterbury musician Simon Teague. Mr Thompson said AgFest 2014 also hosted two unique events, the decorative gumboot competition, which proved popular with the crowds in 2012, and breaking the world record attempt for the most gumboots worn in one place on one day.

That Agfest world record was set at the 2012 event with 1614 pairs of gumboots worn during the event.

''By midday Saturday that number was 2300,'' he said.

- by Rachel Harris 

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