2023 program unveiled

43rd South East Field Days to feature another jam-packed two day event at Yakka Park

All roads lead to Yakka Park next month when the 43rd South East Field Days fire up for two days on March 17 and 18.

Fabulous food, innovations in agriculture, working dog championships and a range of activities and displays as far as the eye can see ensure an entertaining and memorable family day out.

As always, organisers always unveil new headline acts, as well as ensuring time honoured favourites are again part of the Lucindale Lions Club hosted event.

Matt Evans (pictured bottom right), The Gourmet Farmer, heads the list of 2023 attractions.

The food writer, farmer, television broadcaster and chef is based in Southern Tasmania, working and living on Fat Pig Farm, a mixed holding where he tends a garden, makes cider, fattens the namesake pigs and tries to entice milk from two full cream dairy cows.

Matthew’s personal farming journey has been the focus of six series of Gourmet Farmer on SBS, and he’s presented two documentaries, For The Love of Meat, and What’s The Catch. He is the author of 13 books on food, including the authoritative ethical meat manifesto On Eating Meat, and his latest cookbook The Commons.

He’s an advocate for open, fair, accountable food and farming systems, and has pushed for honest labelling so we can all enjoy sustainable seafood.

Rising Australian country music star Angela Easson (pictured left) is another of the top shelf attractions, with the vibrant, up-and-coming singer/songwriter set to entertain the SE Field Days crowd.

Angela has impressed the Australian modern country scene with her hard-earned reputation for mixing infectious melodies with her intensely personal lyrics.

Field days organisers always ensure there are high-octane offerings on the two day program and Randy’s Junk Yard Action Show (pictured second from top right) fits that bill.

This freestyle entertainment show is an, all-weather, action-packed motorcycle and bicycle trials stunt show delivered with a comical twist and patrons will be able to enjoy up to three action packed shows per day.

Can Am ‘Addicted to Mud’ (pictured top right) also provide that high-octane entertainment – a staple of the field days program in recent years, you can watch the team from Can Am demonstrate the latest in AV technologies in the purpose-built mud field pit.

The CopRice South East Field Days Working Dog Championships are also a regular on the SE Field Days program.

It is an event steeped in history with Lucindale hosting the first ever yard dog trials in South Australia more than four decades ago. The championships, which actually kick off on Thursday, March 16, attract the best dogs and their handlers from across Australia and there is always plenty of local talent on show as the dogs go to work on the two purpose built, permanent trial courses. Family entertainment is always a priority of organisers and the 2023 program has no shortage of options.

There is the Old Macdonald’s Travelling Farms, that bring a variety of baby farm animals to you, including lambs, chickens, rabbits and goats, providing a fun and interactive animal experience for young children with food available to feed.

While for those who want a bit more action Burrungule Park Laser Tag will be running a purpose built arena for the young and young at heart.

Lucindale Area School also plays a hand in the providing children’s entertainment with the Blue Yakka Trail – a field days favourite that is a fun hunt for children to explore what’s on offer from the many exhibitors onsite.

Of course, at the heart of the field days, is the focus on all things agriculture and just like every other area of our life, technology has insinuated itself into the ag sector.

So while there will be the usual array of traditional machinery and equipment stall holders, there will also be significant interest in the Ag Tech centre where you will be the latest in technology and innovations specific to the agriculture industry – the perfect opportunity to talk to the experts.

The two huge general interest pavilions also see plenty of foot traffic as patrons check out an array of stalls and displays including craft, clothing, wine tasting and speciality food.