Children jump on board for retro ride

Mahibah Ali, 5, having a go on the merry-go-round at the Rotorua Retro Carnival. Photo / Ben Fraser

Locals can always tell Christmas is around the corner when they see the Rotorua Retro Carnival rolling into town.

The annual fair, which also stops in Mt Maunganui and Taupo, boasts a number of popular rides, carnival games, food stalls and a haunted house.

Run by Mahons Amusements, the carnival sits at the Village Green where curious locals and tourists come to look around.

Mahons Amusements carnival worker Robyn Buckingham said it was wonderful to "see such a mix of tourists and locals".

"There is always a mixture of people who come along which is good to see. Many of the locals keep coming back each year because the carnival has been around for so long and has an air of nostalgia about it.

"I know my husband used to come down to the carnival when he was a boy living in Rotorua. It has changed owners over the years but there has been a carnival on this spot for at least 50 years."

She said the good mix of rides meant there was something for everyone.

"You see a lot of young families hanging out around the merry-go-round, but the dodgem cars are definitely a favourite. You can tell the mums and dads love it just as much as the kids do."

Kyla Hamilton said she and her family were driving past when her daughters saw a sign for the carnival.

"When the kids saw the sign we knew we'd be stopping by for a look."

Lauren Hamilton, 6, had a turn on the Chair O Plane and was looking forward to going on the pirate ship.

"The spinning ride was fun and next I want to go on the pirate ship or the merry-go-round."

-The Rotorua Retro Carnival will be open from 1pm from December 26 to December 29.