Kimbolton spring fair draws huge crowd
Thousands of people have turned out to Kimbolton’s annual spring fair to experience the mix of countryside craft, homemade goods and seasonal entertainment.
The Cross Hills Gardens Country Fair is one of the biggest events on the town’s calendar and attracts people from across New Zealand.
Crowds of people on Saturday wandered around the stalls, browsing a selection of clothes, crafts, plants and food, and traffic queued to enter the venue.
Organiser Angela Wilson said there was a significant increase in patrons turning out for its 12th year.
There were 204 stallholders, coming from as far as Waiheke Island and the South Island.
She thought the increased numbers were down to more people being at home and because lots of events had been cancelled earlier in the year.
It had been challenging to organise, with everything put on hold multiple times, but it was worth it for the great day.
Sharon Kenyon and Maddi, 5, were at the fair for the second time.
Kenyon said it seemed much busier than last year and apart from being stuck in traffic on the way in it had been a lovely day.
There was a great variety of goods on offer, and Maddi had bought a book and liquorice to share with her dad.
However, the candy floss was the star of the show and the reason for the outing.
Iron Horse Art owner Yvonne Reeve came from Hāwera to attend the market for the 11th time.
She said she didn’t know what to expect after Covid-19 stormed the country, but it turned out to be busier than normal.
Reeve had sold 70 per cent of her stock by 1pm and people showed no sign of slowing their spending.
Numbers would normally drop after lunch, but crowds continued to wander through this year.
She said a few markets had been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions and people had been waiting to get back out.
‘‘It’s really good. People are happy. The weather is good.’’
Bohzali owner Emma Martin sells Mongolian rugs and homeware and said this year was definitely busier.
She said because people were home more, they were spending more money on furnishings.
‘‘It’s busier leading up to Christmas than usual.’’
Money raised from the entry fee is used to support a charity each year.