Community festival gathers pace

Brian Ernst is one of the attractions at the third annual Tokafest, at the Tokatoka Tavern, Kaipara, on March 7. Photo / Supplied

Next month's Tokafest is set to deliver a fantastic day with Kiwi and international acts performing.,

The small grassroots community festival at the Tokatoka Tavern, Kaipara, on Saturday, March 7, came about when a group of local musicians got together and came up with the idea to create the event.

With a collective approach and working alongside local event management company KP Productions to put on the festival, it now attracts a diverse crowd from all reaches of the Kaipara, and beyond.

A stellar line-up of original Northland bands, musicians, and DJs - including Andy James, Flaxnation, The Seams, Twintastix, Topaz, Hide and Tallow, Topaz, Luna, as well as Auckland singer/songwriter Sunny Ray, and touring international musician Brian Ernst (US) - will perform this year.

With a circus zone, African drumming, flax weaving, a kids space, and an open stage, the vibrant local arts and culture on display will create the atmosphere for some great entertainment.

There will also be camping available for the concert, which runs from 12pm to midnight.

Event organiser Olly Knox says the event has grown in the way that it tries to work within the community and foster active participation in the planning and running of the festival especially with the youth in their late teens/early 20s taking a role in areas such as promotion, stage management, sound engineering, and digital media by providing opportunities for real life experience.