Hamurana Playcentre Spring Fair and Grand Auction puts smiles on faces

There were smiles and squeals of delight all round as families enjoyed what a spring fair had to offer.

This year's Hamurana Playcentre Spring Fair and Grand Auction was on today at the Ngongotahā Domain.

This is the playcentre's major fundraising event of the year, with all proceeds going towards new learning resources for the children and the day-to-day running of the centre.

The Spring Fair included quick-fire raffles, food and craft stalls, a golf challenge, games for children, face painting, a bouncy castle, pony rides, a sausage sizzle and other forms of entertainment.

The grand auction featured a range of prizes, including prizes up for grabs, including a barbecue and a helicopter ride.

Hamurana Playcentre parent Erica Withington said the day was great.

She said the Ngongotahā Domain gave a good overview of the whole fair and it had a great atmosphere.

"All the kids have been really excited about the Spring fair day and are enjoying all of the activities."

Withington said the bouncy castle was a hit as expected, and the golf challenge had been popular with the fathers.

She said she was looking forward to the auction later in the day.

"This is the 12th fair and I think it's going to be the best one yet."

Image 1 of 8: Hamurana Playcentre Spring Fair and Spring Auction. Jack Behre, 2, (left) Quinn Bindon, 3, and Drew Bindon , 2,. Photo/Ben Fraser

Leanne Richardson said they went to the fair because her sister had a stall there selling crochet items.

She was at the fair with her daughter Ivey Hall, 3, and her niece Charlotte Abbot, 4.

"It's laid out nicely and all of the activities for the children are really great."

Richardson said the children had played the croquet-like game, and enjoyed the sausage sizzle and hot chocolates.

She said they would probably also do some face painting, go on the bouncy castle and go for a ride in the fire truck.

Richardson said the fair also meant you could do things while checking out local talent.

Both Charlotte and Ivey said the sausage sizzle was "yummy".

Martin Dahl said he saw a Facebook post and thought it looked like a great event to get the children out and doing something.

Ryder Dahl, 7, said he liked the rocks which had been painted and Lucy Morgan-Stone, 2, was looking forward to going on a pony.