Spring fair a fun community event for families

Riding on a kid-sized fire engine was just one way families were able to enjoy their time at the Hamurana Playcentre Spring Fair.

Fair co-ordinator Joanne Tombleson said today's event was the 10th annual Hamurana Playcentre Spring Fair.

She said it was not just for the centre , but for the community, and holding a fair for that side of town.

There were about 35 stalls this year and the number had increased from previous years, she said.

The stalls included face-painting, coffee, arts, crafts, food, a jumble sale and activities such as children's games and a ride-on fire engine.

There was also the Grand Auction for which businesses had donated accommodation, pamper, food, tourist and adventure packages.

She said this year the playcentre had decided proceeds from a donation tin and the jumble sale would go towards playcentres in the earthquake-struck town of Kaikoura.

She thought the number of people they had come through each year was in the hundreds and that it had been doing really well this weekend, she said.

"It brings people for a day out in Hamurana. It's a lovely outing, got a good feel to it and it's a fun day."

Hamurana Playcentre president Elizabeth Reid said they were looking at upgrading all of their outdoor play items with proceeds from the fair.

She said last year they raised about $5000 and were hoping for that this year too.

Local Mark Aislabie said he was attending the Hamurana Playcentre Spring Fair with his son Max Aislabie, 3, for the first time.

He said it was pretty good for the children and got the community together.

"It's a way to get out in the weekend."

Rotorua's Jenna Brown said this was her second or third time attending the fair.

"I just think it's cool for community spirit. It gets all the kids involved and is supporting local businesses as well."