With three weeks before the gates open at Dargaville, organisers are wary of another major community outbreak.

Phillips points out that last year’s event was the only event of its kind in the North Island as Covid forced authorities to impose ban on large gatherings.

“It’s definitely a whole different ballgame. This was the last field days before life became difficult,” Phillips told Rural News.

“While the possibility of another outbreak of Covid that could cause events to be cancelled again is always in the back of our minds, we have simply had to just carry on as usual with our preparations and hope for the best.”

Organisers are working closely with Northland Regional Council on the issue.

The three-day event will have Covid-19 tracer posters up all over the event site.

Every exhibitor is required to have a hand sanitising station set up on their site. This is not only for themselves but for any one from the general public who comes onto their site if they wish to use it.

The event will also provide special parking for the disabled. A special area has been allocated within the event site.

Those wishing to use this facility are requested to have the official disabled parking permit displayed on their car windscreen so that the parking attendants can see it when you drive in and they will direct you to the correct parking area.

Three toilets are also on site for the disabled with a ramp for wheelchair access.