Famous 'selfies' talk up spring fair

Libby Rainger was among a group of Havelock North High School students who came up with the idea of getting celebrities to endorse their annual Spring Fair fundraiser on August 31.PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

A group of students are using well known national and international celebrities to entice locals along to the Havelock North Spring Fair this month.

Havelock North High School pupils, including head girl Caitlin King, came up with the cunning ploy to get more young people excited about the annual event.

"I thought it would be great to get some celebrities involved, and the 'selfie' seems to be taking over the world so I suggested we get famous people to take a selfie video saying they will be at the fair," Miss King said.

Among the well known faces is Cameron Jones from Shortland Street, a former Havelock North High School old boy, who posed the question: "are you going to the Havelock North Fair?"

Other identities included Jamie Fitzgerald of TV ONE's First Crossings series, who recently visited the school to speak about his adventures.

"I have been bashing my way through the bush, climbing with flax rope, coming through the ice and crevasses, but there's one thing I want to make sure I get to and that's the Havelock North Spring Fair, so I want to make sure I get along, but are you?" Mr Fitzgerald said in his post.

They even managed to wrangle Julian Smith, a saxophonist, who appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2009 as well as Kiwi comedians Jono and Ben.

Organisers also hoped to get social media sensation Jamie Curry of Jamie's World to help boost interest.

The Spring Fair, sponsored by Hawke's Bay Today, will take place on Sunday, August 31 on the sports field between Havelock North High School and Havelock North Intermediate.

There will be 100 food and craft stalls, as well as an auction with offerings such as a David Trubridge light shade, lunch at Cape Kidnappers, The Farm or a boutique horse trek.

Hastings District Council's iWay initiative will run bike polo and an event called the Junior Bike Buzz, where kids under 12 years complete an 800m obstacle course.

All proceeds from the event will go directly back to the schools, to help buy a new van for Havelock North High and a fresh playground for the Intermediate.

People can view all of the celebrity selfie videos on the Havelock North Spring Fair Facebook page.