One couple's dream to win an all-expenses paid wedding will come true this weekend in front of hundreds of people in Greerton's Village Square.
The wedding between Scott Martin and his fiancée, Dione Thomson, will take place at 1pm as part of Greerton Village's Cherry Blossom Festival 2011.
Victoria Thomas, Greerton Village's Mainstreet Manager, says the lucky couple won the wedding package during a Valentine's Day promotion held earlier this year, and all aspects of the day will be supplied by local Greerton retailers.
"The wedding will be huge. Everything from the rings, to the dress, footwear, hair and beauty, and balloon decorations for the ceremony and reception at Tauranga Racecourse are all being supplied," Mrs Thomas said.
About 150 guests are expected to attend the ceremony.
Hundreds more people will enjoy a full day of free family entertainment in and around Cameron Rd and Chadwick Rd.
"We wanted to take this year's Cherry Blossom Festival in a little bit of a different direction, like a Mardi Gras street carnival," Mrs Thomas says.
"We've got loads of entertainers such as stilt walkers, clowns, street theatre acts, Japanese taiko drummers, and Tauranga's Samba group are coming too. They will all be milling around and it will be a fantastic atmosphere."
Excerpts from the Pirates of the Pacific - The Pirate King (Tauranga's murder mystery dinner show) will also be performed by a cast of professional actors known as The Prime Suspects.
"On the festival day they are going to be entertaining with street performances from their show giving us a taste of what we can expect to see," Mrs Thomas says.
The Greerton Village craft fair will also be in full swing in the Greerton Village Hall, while carnival rides will create a buzz for the kids in the Greerton Village School grounds.
"The cherry blossoms lining the streets around Greerton are so beautiful at this time of year. It'll be a great day out," Mrs Thomas said.
Free parking is available at Tauranga Racecourse on Cameron Rd.
WHERE AND WHEN
What: Greerton Village Cherry Blossom Festival 2011
Where: Greerton Village, Chadwick and Cameron Roads
When: Saturday 10am-4pm
Cost: Free
