At 9am this morning, the gates will open for this years Norco Primex Expo in Casino and when they close at 6pm on Saturday a crowd of about 25,000 would have visited more than 350 exhibitors from heavy machinery to livestock action and an array of live entertainment and outdoor leisure offerings.

Like all events in 2020, the iconic 3-day farming and primary industries expo had to cancel last year. PRIMEX director Bruce Wright said the importance of the return of the expo, post-Covid, cannot be downplayed.

“PRIMEX is a key component of this landscape and has been since 1985,” he said. “It is a proven sales success, but it is so much more than that. It is a community event that umbrellas all that is community, from volunteer and charity organisations, social networking, right through to major business. From 9 o'clock this morning, PRIMEX is ready to welcome everyone back to a Covid-safe event.”

Primex's vision is to be recognised as a leading agribusiness destination, bringing city and rural communities together, showcasing sustainable Australian primary production and food.

Sustainable Farming will again be a PRIMEX focus for the network of more than 40 producer organisations, who are partnered with this event given the effects that climate change is having on primary producers.

The largest Paddock To Plate presentation to date will offer all ‘foodies’ the chance to taste, sample and take away some amazing experiences. The Paddock To Plate showcase links the diverse and world-class range of local farming products, high profile Chefs and food experts ready to offer thousands of visiting consumers this culinary highlight.

Local chef and co-owner of Three Blue Ducks at The Farm Darren Robertson is set to get tastebuds tantalised with a series of daily cooking demonstrations and audience sessions at the popular agricultural event. Darren's cooking demonstrations will be daily at 12 midday at the Southern Food Court, starting today.

“We produce some of the best food ingredients in the world right here and I think Norco Primex is the perfect place to showcase what we can do. I love connecting our local growers with the food-loving public and can’t wait to be a part of one of our region’s best events,” said Darren.

“I’m hoping people will come along and be surprised by some of the cooking information and demonstrations I’ll serve up. This is a great chance for foodies to ask me anything they want. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” added Darren.

The Outdoor Leisure Show which is one of the Westpac Rescue Helicopters major fundraisers is included in Norco Primex for 2021.

You will see leading outdoor lifestyle brands and retailers including off-road camper trailers, caravans, and motorhomes, the latest 4WDs, recreational vehicles, aftermarket accessories, camping and fishing gear. Look out for the dedicated recreational section within the 30-acre exhibition space at PRIMEX.

There will be live entertainment on centre stage from Katie Brookes and Roo. Livestock featuring beef, sheep, goats, horses, working dogs and alpaca. There are big machinery demonstrations, drones showing off and the latest tractors, construction equipment, robotic mowers and more.

As you can read, this year's Norco Primex is about the city meeting the country. There is something for everyone.

Norco Primex 2021 is being held in its traditional location at the Richmond Valley Events Centre, Casino, for three days from May 20-22, 2021.