A blacksmith worked at a forge, chaff was being cut and bagged, Clydesdale horses grazed in paddocks, swaggers told tall tales around a campfire and there were displays of traditional crafts.
The Harvest Home festival has become a popular annual event at the birthplace of New Zealand's frozen meat industry.
Victorian ‘‘domestic goddess'' Marise Newbery was installed in the granary, converted into Granny's Kitchen for the event, assisted by her servants and maids.
She explained processing the ‘‘harvest bounty'', how to make disinfectants, air fresheners, sauces, cordials and jellies.
Fourth-generation farmer Colin Patterson, from Canterbury, recited his poetry, mostly composed sitting on a tractor.
There was a display of vintage machinery and members of the North Otago Vintage Machinery Club were keeping busy cutting chaff. The Anderson threshing mill was on display.
It is owned by Dave Clark, grandson of original purchaser David Clark.
The mill, built in Christchurch about 100 years ago, was bought new by David Clark for work in North Otago and used to work regularly at Totara Estate.
There was plenty of other horsepower, with Clydesdale horses pulling a wagon and the North Otago Riding for the Disabled providing pony rides.
