Over the weekend, Blackpool witnessed an influx of over 6,000 young farmers, who gathered for the DIY Young Farmers Annual General Meeting (AGM). This event, popular among the agricultural community, led to quite the economic influx into the town with reports of approximately £60,000 spent on kebabs and pizzas alone.
The three-day event featured entertainment such as live performances by Dpart and DJ sets by Ultrabeat, drawing attendees from across the UK and Ireland. Despite the raucous festivities and a viral social media presence that emphasized unusual antics and clothing, including mullets, the local police reported no significant issues with the group.
During the gathering, the venues notably covered their floors with sawdust to manage spillages, a detail that was misconstrued online as mud or other substances. Sam Hargreaves, one of the event's organizers, highlighted the economic benefit brought by the AGM, with local hotels fully booked and significant revenue generated for local businesses.
The event came under scrutiny due to past issues with behavior leading to previous cancellations by the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs in 2018. Nonetheless, organizers coordinated with local authorities and businesses to ensure a controlled environment, emphasizing the recreational and social value of the gathering for the farming community.