Sunny weather a boon for Te Puna Hall
This stretch of fine weather has been a boon for the Te Puna Hall balance sheet with power costs reduced by almost a third due to the installation of solar power last year, enabled by funding from a TECT grant. This saving is in addition to the increased demand for power from the new air conditioning units. A ‘win win’ all around for hall users.
The hall committee is crossing their fingers that this weather continues for the annual Harvest Festival on 4th May from 12-4pm at the Te Puna Hall.
Demand from stall holders and food vendors has been overwhelming, so the afternoon looks to be even more successful than the inaugural event last year.
Market-goers better come hungry, as the range of things to eat is incredibly diverse, with so many choices from cuisines all over the globe. As you enter the market, there will be a line-up of food trucks and coffee carts in a festival setting with bunting and colourful tablecloths on outdoor tables. Grab a bite and enjoy the sounds from our band, “Second Time Round,” who are making the trip over the Kaimais to join us again. They play covers with a smattering of their own music.
As you walk in the hall, your senses will be overloaded with flowers from The Floral Hub, fragrant candles, soaps, plants, baking, preserves and a huge range of handcrafted goods. Thousands of books from the now-closed Te Puna Library will be on the stage, and you can grab some winter reading with all books $2 each or
6 for $10. We didn’t even manage to put them all out last year so we are sure there are still great titles for the book lovers.
Local garden enthusiasts will be vying for honours in the giant pumpkin competition, and the kids will be entertained with an animal agility show at 1pm and 2.30pm, animal-shaped balloons and a fire station bouncy castle while families can browse the rest of the outdoor stalls.
It’s all free, and if you want more information, follow the Te Puna Memorial Hall Facebook page.