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Matakana School field was full of fun-loving families enjoying food, music, games and gift shopping on Friday, November 23, for the school’s inaugural Christmas Fair.
The plant and book stalls did a roaring trade, but it was the Christmas gifts, goodies and decorations made by students and staff that proved the biggest hit with the punters, and the many food stalls struggled at times to keep up with demand.
Traditional stalls and sideshows such as a wet sponge toss, coconut shy and water gun game kept the bigger kids amused, while the youngest visitors were in awe of a magical Santa’s Grotto and enchanted Christmas Tree Forest.
The school’s own Glee Club, kapa haka group, ukulele players and individual buskers kept the crowds entertained before the ever-popular White Chapel Jak took to the stage for a set that got everyone up and dancing.
One of the main organisers, Melita Campbell, said she was really pleased with how the first Christmas Fair had gone, and it had ended up as the fun, family, laid-back community evening everyone had aimed for.
She said the hand-made Christmas gifts were a highlight.
“The gifts were beautifully made and incredibly creative,” she said. “It was wonderful to see children creating original and artistic gifts, but more so their sense of accomplishment and excitement during Theme Week in bringing their creations to life.”
Melita said she was grateful to everyone who attended or helped at the event, especially Bayleys, Bandwagon and Carlton Party Hire.
Funds raised will go towards buying LEGO Mindstorm Robotics kits, which are used in mathematics, literacy, science, environmental and social studies to encourage collaboration, communication and problem solving.
The new Christmas Fair replaced the Matakana School Gala, which was traditionally held on the Saturday of Labour Weekend.
White Chapel Jak kept the crowds entertained and got them on their feet.
Traditional games like the sponge toss were a big hit.
