Dragon returns for seventh it! festival

Dragon, with, from left, Bruce Reid, Todd Hunter, Pete Drummond, and Northland-born singer Mark Williams, will play at the it! Bay of Islands Food & Wine Festival the first weekend of October.

It's back to the future for the it! Bay of Islands Food & Wine Festival next month with Australasian band Dragon headlining - seven years after the group opened the first festival.

Dragon - now led by Northland-born singer Mark Williams - will headline the festival on October 1 on Paihia's Village Green from 11am-6pm.

At the inaugural "it!" Bay of Islands Festival in 2010 Dragon put on a high-energy performance that had people up dancing and really helped cement the success of the festival.

"We have Dragon back again seven years on and the uptake on the tickets has been great.

This festival has been a great success - and has a fantastic selection of Northland vineyards and foodies there who are proud to showcase the region."

Established restaurants like Food At Wharepuke, 35 Degrees South, Charlottes Kitchen, Cafe Jerusalem and Alfresco's will have their wares at the festival, alongside stalls such as Ben's Oysters and Hughie Blues.

Dragon is fronted by Kiwi singer Mark Williams, along with original band member Todd Hunter and they are joined by Canadian guitar slinger Bruce Reid and drum wizard Pete Drummond.

"This band rocks its way through a long list of iconic songs - the band is known for anthems like April Sun In Cuba, Are You Old Enough, Rain, Speak No Evil, Young Years, This Time, Sunshine, Celebrate and Dreams of Ordinary Men. Dragon was inducted into the Australian Hall Of Fame in 2008.

Dragon will mash up 30 years of Australasian musical history into one contemporary sound.

Also on the line-up for the festival are The Hipstamatics, from Auckland, Northland bands JPG and Charlottes Web plus 5k.

There is a half hour spot for young Northland talent - Bella n' Zoe and Original Content.

Organisers have arranged a bus from Kerikeri to Paihia at $10 return per person.

- See www.eventfinda. co.nz/2016/it-bay-of-islands-food-and-wine-festival/paihia Or see Facebook www.facebook.com/itbayofislandsfestival/ or www.paihianz.co.nz.