It's Showtime

THE North Coast National has been celebrating the land, the people who work it and the fruit of that partnership for 127 years.

Times change but our connection with the land is as important as it always was, despite the constantly evolving technology which is creating a virtual landscape in which we increasingly live.

The North Coast National hits top gear this weekend (from today, Thursday, October 18, to Saturday, October 20) as it celebrates Australian Year of the Farmer. In that agricultural theme you can enjoy the working dog trials (where men in Akubras use funny voices to make a dog do the work), a woodchop (pre-chainsaw skills), horse riding events (the showjump is a favourite), and the Showgirl competition (with a Showboy section!).

That's just a taste from the feast of traditional agricultural show activities.

Then there's the fireworks every night. Noisy and thrilling. And sideshow alley of course where you can win something fluffy.

And every day, you can enjoy Ashton's Circus, whipcracking, monster trucks, weird chooks... even racing pigs!

The North Coast National is also a contemporary, CSG-free celebration of local culture reflecting the modern world we live in.

Sustainability Alley with its solar-powered stalls features experts talking about aspects of sustainability including growing food, biochar, building with hemp, energy efficiency, composting toilets... you get the idea.

And if all that fun is giving you back trouble, SCU graduate osteopaths are providing free 20-minute osteopathic assessments.

The North Coast is known for its performing arts and there's a smorgasbord of local entertainment at the Live Under The Stars open-air stage. See The Scene (page 15) for details.