Great variety at rotary fair

CROWD-PLEASER: There's something for everyone at the annual Martinborough Fair, with a huge range of stalls.

Thousands of people are expected to spend the day browsing hundreds of stalls in Martinborough for the annual Martinborough Fair.

Today is the first of two fairs, with the second to be held in March. Since the fair's humble beginnings in 1977, with just 35 stalls, it has turned into one of the biggest fairs in Australasia with stalls selling artwork, crafts, clothing, food and other products. Entry is free and proceeds from the rental of stall space and facilities allow the club to provide funding for charity projects in South Wairarapa.

The square and the first block of all streets connected to it will be closed to traffic from 6am to 4pm.

Waitangi celebrationsCelebrate Waitangi Day today at Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton, 176 years on from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Running from 11am until 3pm, there will be lots of fun activities, entertainment and, of course, lots of food to be had by family and friends.

This year's theme for the celebrations is a cultural food festival and hundreds of people are expected to participate.

Fiddle Pie on stage This American old-time country music band are stopping off at King Street Live tonight as part of their New Zealand tour. With doors open at 7.30pm, this group of rowdy young musicians bring forth an epic array of traditional American string-band tunes, called square dances and classic country buckle-shiners.

From their homes across the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, these folks have a commitment to keeping the youthful spirit of traditional music and dance alive.

You'll see piles of fiddles, banjos and guitars trumpeted by all combinations of Flora Knight (NZ), Cornelia Overton (US), Sean Donald (Canada), T Claw (US), Burdock (US), and Hannah Johnson (US). Tickets are $20 at the door.