Time for some country fun
All eyes on Battle Hill for the summer fair
Get out in your garden and dust off your apron because a good old family fair is coming to town.
The Little Sprouts Easter Country Fair, to be held at Battle Hill in March, will revive the excitement of times long past while raising money for the organisation that provides vulnerable families with boxes of everything a new mother could possibly need.
Little Sprouts founder and fair organiser Jo Alderdice said it would hopefully become an annual event.
‘‘We realised that no-one was doing proper fair competitions – think Women’s Institute in England – or a fabulous Easter event, and we think Battle Hill is just an incredible part of our region that people will fall in love with,’’ she said.
‘‘We think it’s the perfect combination.’’
It will be a family affair with classic cars, all kinds of stalls, rides for the children and even a parents’ area, with free massages and baby food.
The Easter bunny will be appearing at the children’s scavenger hunt.
‘‘We have three small boys and we are really putting in lots of Little Sprouts gave away $150,000 worth of baby items in the last year. The Auckland branch was opened in September and gave away its first packs just before Christmas. The organisation won a local hero award in the New Zealander of the Year awards in 2014. extra effort to ensure that families with younger children can also really enjoy the day.
‘‘Plus we are encouraging families from Wellington, the Hutt, Kapiti and beyond to come along and find out how incredible Pauatahanui is.’’
With a zero budget, Alderdice said they had relied on the generosity of sponsors and volunteers to make the fair happen. All money raised would go towards helping new parents.
She said the goal was to raise at least $ 20,000, which would be enough to help another 200 babies and their families.
‘‘ It’s a really great way for people to have some fun and also support a really great cause.’’
Though more will be revealed as the time nears, now is the time to start growing pumpkins and perfecting recipes for the traditional English country fair competitions that will be held in the lead-up.
Entry is free and all entries left over after judging will be sold at the fair.
Some big- name sponsors are behind the event, with Palmers, Mojo, the Lodge, Pauatahanui Inlet, the Parents Centre, Harcourts, Edwards & Co and Merino Kids among the contributors.
To buy scavenger hunt tickets for $5 or to be part of the freeentry competitions, visit little sproutseastercountryfair.co.nz.