Tocal Field Days 2019 gearing up for huge crowds

There's a billy boiling competition as part of the annual Tocal Field Days. And if you can do it in under eight minutes, you'll not only break the current record, but likely win the title (and bragging rights) for the 2019 contest.

All contestants are given a billy full of water, a tomahawk, matches, seven square-inches of Cypress Pine and a drink carton to fan the flames. The rest comes down to creativity and strategy.

"The secret is instead of chopping the wood into pieces, shave pieces off. It's easier to get the fire started," organiser Wendy Franklin said.

Thanks to past controversies, one drop of detergent is added to the water. Wendy said it's makes it easier to tell when the water is boiled.

"Once the bubbles rise to the top of the billy, it's considered boiled," she said.

Over 55s can enter their own heat as part of Seniors Day on May 3 - or show the youngsters how it's done on May 4 and 5.

But those who can't handle the pressure (billy boiling is serious business!) can enjoy the field days' other attractions.

Piglet races, llama kissing booths, baby goat cuddles, pony rides for the kids and horse rides for the adults are all part of the program.

Wendy said the piglet races are themed every year. Race organisers dress the pigs up in cute costumes. Previous races have paid homages to football teams and royal weddings.

"We never know what the theme is until just before the race starts."

You can show the grandkids how to milk a cow, or sit back and be entertained by the strong lineup of performers including country singer John Wilson.

Skills students learn at the Tocal College will also be on display at Tocal on Show, where there will be demonstrations on horse handling, bisons, working dogs and quad bikes.

And, as always, good food will also be a large part of the weekend. There'll be cheesemaking and food preservation workshops plus local school students will battle it out in the Bake or Burn cooking competition.

The ladies from the Country Women's Association will be serving up their famous scones and other treats in the Chapel. Or you can catch the shuttle bus to the Tocal Homestead for scones fresh from the 1880 wood-fired oven.

Organisers are expecting between 20,000 to 25,000 people through the gates across the three days.

Wendy encouraged people to come down and learn more about agriculture.

It's set to be a big weekend, with more than 350 exhibitors on show in addition to the packed program of events. Luckily, there's a people mover on hand to help shuttle people from A to B. Getting to Tocal is also a breeze, with a shuttle bus traveling to and from Maitland Train Station.

Entry costs $15 for seniors on Friday, or $18 on Saturday and Sunday.

More details - https://www.tocalfielddays.com