Held at the Tocal Agricultural Centre, Paterson in May, Tocal Field Days attracts around 20,000 people each year.

Tocal Field Days manager Wendy Franklin said Talent@Tocal is another way the field days is giving back to the local community. 

Ms Franklin stressed that Talent@Tocal isn’t a talent quest –  performers must be current primary or high school students with the ability to entertain an audience whether that is singing, playing an instrument or both.

“We audition prior and those people who are successful are paid commercial rates to perform at various locations around the site on the Saturday and Sunday,” Ms Franklin said.

“Last year we had solo performers, duos and trios aged between 10 and 18 from across the Hunter.

“We are looking for performers in a genre that is in keeping with a rural community event but that doesn’t have to be country music.

“We could hire musical acts but this way we give local, talented young people real music industry experience in front of a real audience.” 

Kearsley girl Reese Hamilton, 14, sang and played guitar at last year’s field days, and is auditioning again for Talent@Tocal this year.

The Kurri Kurri High School year 10 student said the experience helped her confidence performing in front of a lot of people.

“It was one of my first paid gigs both singing and playing guitar so it was a fantastic experience,” Reese said.

Entries for Talent@Tocal close February 23 and auditions will be held by appointment at Tocal College on February 25.

Application forms are available at tocalfielddays.com or from local school offices. For more information phone 4939 8820.

The 2018 Tocal Field Days will be held from May 4 to 6.

Check out the fun from last year’s event in the gallery below.