Fair about enjoyment and raising funds

Bob Cross plays the Flemish Pipes at the Hohepa Country Fair. Photo / Warren Buckland

Arrows were shot, trains ridden and water tipped over the unfortunate people in the stocks at the Hohepa Country Fair on Saturday.

The 27th fair was as much about people enjoying themselves as it was fundraising, organiser Jeff Carroll said.

"The weather was considerably kind to us, everyone had a good time, the turnout was good and the stalls all did a raging business."

Stalls and entertainments were spread throughout the Clive grounds, giving visitors a 1km walk to visit them all.

Attractions included belly dancers, Irish dancers, taekwondo displays and the Hawke's Bay Training Orchestra.

"It's a relaxing afternoon. There were 70 stall sites but there were around 30 other activities such as children's games, forge work, balance beams, juggling and archery.

"If you were walking round it would take you 45 minutes to see everything."

Hohepa provides services for people with intellectual disabilities, based on the principles of Rudolf Steiner.

Its own products were also on offer: carpentry goods such as toys, weaving, rugs, cheese and garden produce. Mr Carroll said the fair looked to have cleared its usual amount - $20,000 - but that was not its only aim. "It's aimed as a place where people can come and sit down, enjoy themselves and do a bit of shopping," he said.

"Both fundraising and publicity is what we are seeking, to raise Hohepa's profile in the wider community. "We do have a shop here open Monday to Friday where people can buy their cheese, vegetables and biodynamic milk."