Akaroa gets festive

The annual Akaroa summer festival that celebrates the arrival of French settlers in 1840 will be held on January 27.

Entertainment throughout the day will include clowns and buskers to keep the children occupied. There will be a variety of music from blues to traditional English, Scottish, French, Irish and Maori. A highlight will be a Maori culture group of 30, Te Ahi Kaaroa.

A brewery and four wineries will have stalls and staff from 10 restaurants will sell locally grown and produced foods such as salmon, lobster and paua, venison, beef, pork, ostrich and cheeses.

Contact: www.akaroa.com