Busing it to Fieldays for free
Your Fieldays freebie collection could start with the bus ride service from Hamilton out to Mystery Creek.
The first passengers of the free Fieldays bus service from Hamilton to Mystery Creek were dropped off right outside the gate this morning.
Kate Stokes, a passenger on today’s final morning run, was looking forward to taking her two pre-school aged children to their first Fieldays experience.
“They are looking forward to seeing the tractors and any machinery.
“They love [having] their gumboots on, mud, tractors and 4-wheel bikes.”
Her children exclaimed with excitement when they looked out the bus windows and caught sight of the rows of tractors parked inside the showgrounds.
Retired dairy farmer Iain Parris spoke about catching a restored JA-1275 steam train from Auckland to Hamilton for his last visit to Fieldays in 2009.
“It was pretty full too, they brought the singing cowboy as well.”
He was interested in the breeds arena but was also eager to try some of the food stalls as well.
“I’ll always have a look at something new.
“I must admit the developments over the years are a bit beyond me, it’s a job to catch up but I’ll always usually find something of interest.”
Dick Zinsli has driven the free Fieldays bus service every year since he started driving Hamilton City buses 30 years ago.
He said it was a good change for drivers and gave them a chance to interact with passengers outside the normal urban runs.
“You always have a lot of fun with the passengers, especially if they’re from Australia or somewhere like that.
“They stay in town and you pick them up from the motel to bring them out and you have a bit of a joke with them.”
The service runs every day of Fieldays.
Fieldays ticket holders can hop on board from outside the Hamilton Transport Centre.
Morning runs bringing passengers from Hamilton to Mystery Creek go from 8.30 to 10.30.
Afternoon return trips to Hamilton start from 2.00 and go through to 5.15.
