7.43pm: Bunches of balloons have been released into the sky above Mount beach tonight to show support for the family of missing five-year-old Jack Dixon.
People gathered around a collection lights on the beach and sent their balloons into the sky.
Organiser of the gathering Rory told people it was a way to remind the family the community were still thinking of them and a reminder to people to keep looking for Jack.
7.10pm: More than 100 people are already on Mount beach tonight with balloons to show their support for the family of missing five-year-old Jack Dixon.
Organiser of the gathering Rory, 27, is there with his two-year-old son Saige.
He wanted to show Jack's family that the community were still thinking of them so he organised the event through local social media pages, he told the Bay of Plenty Times.
A reporter at the beach said there were a lot of families that had come along despite the cold and windy conditions.
There were kids playing and running around and it was a good atmosphere with everyone together, she said.
EARLIER: People will gather on main Mount Maunganui beach from 7pm tonight with balloons and lights to show their support for the family of missing five-year-old Jack Dixon.
Organisers are telling people to bring a candle or helium balloon to show their love and thoughts for the family and to make a pathway home for Jack.
Party Starter on the corner of 8th Ave and Cameron Rd are offering a discounted price of $3 for helium balloons if people mention the event.
Due to the potential fire hazard, the fire service have asked that no one takes floating lanterns.
A similar event is planned at 7pm in the Pukehina area.