Huge turnout, great weather for Martinborough Fair

Thirty-degree sunshine greeted the 30,000 people who passed through the 450 arts, crafts and food stalls that made up Saturday's 33rd annual Martinborough Fair.
South Wairarapa Rotary Club member and event convener Lesley Christian said the big figure was typical turnout for such a stellar day, which saw cars parked roadside and traffic backed up for 2km on the western approach to the town.
Mrs Christian said numbers are estimated using a road counter machine, which gives an accurate picture of just how many people enjoy the event.
Saturday's fair, and its sequel which is to be held on March 7, are the principal fundraising event for the South Wairarapa Rotary Club enabling the organisation to fund community support for the rest of the year, she said.
"The benefit to Wairarapa is absolutely huge for example, every B&B; from here to Masterton is booked and 20 per cent of the stalls are not-for-profit local organisations.
"It's a huge commitment everyone makes with almost all of our 60 South Wairarapa Rotarians on deck from 5am until 6.30pm.
"By the time we've finished there's not a speck of rubbish on the ground and The Square looks as though a fair never happened," Mrs Christian said.