12:00a.m. 20th July 2008

Just before lunchtime yesterday, SES volunteers broke new ground when they started directing cars into the northern car park at Dale Roche The Good Guys Farm Fantastic.

The site was buzzing with visitors from all over the Coast, baffling and delighting event co-ordinator Leanne Carius.

“We’ve never overfilled our car parks before. We’re using the overfill, the overfill car park,” she said.

“Yesterday (Friday) our figures were on par with last year, but today we’ve exceeded expectations.”

Photo Gallery: Farm Fantastic 2008

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One family soaking up the atmosphere was Beachmere’s Simon, Natalie, six-year-old Lachlan and five-year-old Kadey, who got an 8am start.

With so much on offer, they were each drawn to something different.

“I like sitting on the tractors,” Lachlan said.

Animal-loving sister Kadey liked “seeing the horses”, and the pavilions struck Natalie’s fancy as she blissfully ate her way around the decadent display of treats.

“I like all of the taste-testing products,” she said.

While the family was occupied, Simon enjoyed kicking back and listening to the music at the many stages.

Natalie said of their excursion: “It’s nice and open and easy to get around. It’s good there are so many stages and things to look at.”

Yesterday, there was plenty of family friendly entertainment, with young country singing talent wowing audiences at the main stage.

Trick riders also entertained the crowds with amazing horseback acrobatics. Highlights included 12-year-old Mickayla Barber, also known as Pinky, and fellow rider Seann Pitman, 16, performing tricks on their horses Beau and Nevada.

Today at Farm Fantastic there will be country music, dancing, fishing and four-wheel-drive displays, horse trick riding and much more.