In the scorching four o'clock sun, I'm in a field in Imgarr, where a farmer is explaining to me some age-old farming traditions. As he is talking, I feel a nudge on my calves, and then a lick. "Ah, that's Ninu. He's very sociable, he's a bit of a flirt."

Ninu, you'll be pleased to know, is a three-month old, charcoal black, goat kid. Farmer Jason Vella, 28, of Imgarr tells me that the kid lost his mother when he was barely a day: "So my mother brought him up and has been feeding him bottles every day, and he feels like he's one of us," he laughs.

You can get a chance of hanging out with Ninu, at the trades' festival being held in Bingemma Valley this evening. Mr Vella, is not only the organiser, but also the brains behind this festival which aims to revive rural Imgarr traditions and folklore.

"I've been researching old agricultural methods and traditions for more than a year now," said Mr Vella. He interviewed several farmers in their 70s and 80s who remember details of ancient practices.

"I was mostly fascinated by the 'qiegha' – which is the harvesting, winnowing and threshing of wheat by hand," he said, explaining that during the festival the whole process of the 'qiegha' will be re-enacted.

Up till the Second World War, the 'qiegha' used to take place over two days – or more –in the month of July, when the weather permitted. It was a process which separated the wheat from the straw and the farmers made use of donkeys, mules, hay forks and sieves. "It was something which used to involve the whole family – the more the merrier, and the quicker," said Mr Vella. Nowadays, thanks to the combine harvester, this same process doesn't take more than a few hours.

Such is his wish for these traditions not to be lost, that Mr Vella rallied the Imgarr drama company, the youth committee, his fellow farmers and the local council to organise this free-of-charge festival in a field in Imgarr.

Visitors can try their hand at ploughing and wheat treshing, but apart from that there will also be a display of a collection of tools and machinery from private collections. Artisans and craftsmen will also be working at their trade and exhibiting sheep wool weaving, lace, hand made fish nets, wicker baskets, and typical Maltese goodies.

Sheep and goats will be shepherded amongst the crowds. Undoubtedly Ninu will be the star of the night.

'Trades of our Fathers' is being held today Friday July 8 at the Bingemma Valley in Mgarr at 5.30pm.