Once more this year a wee bit of Scotland will visit Turakina.
The annual Turakina Highland Games will kick off this Saturday for the 153rd time.
Debbie Benton spokesperson for the Turakina Caledonia Society says the day will be jam packed with events.
"The day starts off with the solo drumming and the solo piping, each competing against each other in different grades."
Twelve stages will be set up, each hosting separate performers. Two stages will have highland dancing performing throughout the day.
"In another part of the field there will be traditional scottish field events for things like tossing the cabar and tossing the sheep, carrying big stones."
She says other field events include the the hill run and at lunchtime there will be a tug-of-war.
There is little age restriction and children are welcome to enter.
The afternoon will see 14 pipe bands competing against each other. Including five youth bands, the highest number of youth entrances at the games so far.
"This year we've also got the Manawatu Number One Pipe Band going to be there, and they've just recently come home from Scotland. Where they were competing in the world pipeband championship."
"So they finished 11th of 25 top bands in the world, pretty good for a small place like New Zealand."
She says it is expected that 17 Scottish Clans will make it this year each with their own stalls set up. Each stall will help visitors trace their genealogy to find out whether you are a Donald or a Cameron.
There will be markets littered throughout the venue to buy good such as kilts and jewelry, with loads of authentic Scottish foods available.
For the children a bouncy castle will be on-site and old fashioned games will run through the day, like the three legged race and find a needle in a haystack.
Later in the afternoon at 5pm the 14 pipebands bands will gather to for a mass parade.
"That's followed by the traditional haggis ceremony, haggis will be brought in and everyone will get a try," says Mrs Benton.
As the day finishs will be a prize giving with $100 going to anyone who can throw the giant Edenmore Caber.
Then a ceilidh, or a scottish party with live bands will see you on your way.
One thousand five hundred visitors are expected on the day, which starts at 8.30am at Turakina Domain, Cameron Road, Turakina. Entry is $10 children under 15 are free.
The Turakina Highland Games are the Highland Games in New Zealand. Starting in 1864 as a way for Scottish settlers to stay in touch with the culture of their homeland.