The stalls and play areas stretched from the Lakefront to the edge of Utuhina Stream.
They included a live mural display, talks, te reo sessions, cooking demos, a Tū Kaha Jiu-Jitsu display, bouncy castles, kūmara planting, digital learning, and a hauora area.
Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue and Ngāti Rangiwewehi, at Waitangi Day at Ōhinemutu. Photo / Stephen Parker
Bands, DJs, films and even a fashion show entertained on the stages.
Rotorua woman Leanne Phillips saw "heaps of whānau" at the event "from in and out of town".
"Some of them I haven't seen in a long time."
Live mural display by Taumata Soloman. Photo / Stephen Parker
She said the popularity of For the Love of the People was "really awesome" to see.
"People bringing the kids down, getting among all the entertainment and even just seeing our kauheke - the older ones in their wheelchairs being pushed around, covered up in their hats and that."
She hoped the event would return for future years.
"Not just for Waitangi Day - more whānau days, more iwi initiatives and kaupapa bringing everyone back."
Cast members of 8 Scott Ave The Musical perform. Photo / Stephen Parker
For Phillips, one of the highlights was meeting some of the cast of 8 Scott Ave The Musical and watching them perform.
Karena Te Awa-Bird came over from Maketū for the day.
"My grandparents are from here so I have definitely got to come back."
