Lively beats to play Quarryfest
The high-energy Wai Taiko drum group from Hamilton will beat up a storm in Te Puna Quarry Park on Sunday.
The group, which uses traditional Japanese drums (taiko), are coming especially to perform at the annual QuarryFest and will be in the amphitheatre for an hour from 11am.
Athole Harvey, who has organised the entertainment for the family fun day out, says her main aim was to offer visitors something new.
"The Wai Taiko drummers are such splendid entertainers," she says.
"They are all very athletic and obviously get a lot of pleasure from what they do."
Other amphitheatre entertainment includes the Bay of Plenty Pipes and Drums, Highland dancers, members of the Tauranga Acoustic Music Club and a Jump Jam exhibition by St Mary's School pupils, finalists in the national competition, at 12.30pm who will be inviting the audience to give it a go.
The Chordial Quintet barbershop singers from Katikati, meanwhile, will move around the park to perform, while the Tauranga Brass Band will be in the Carter pavilion.
The All-Stars Steel Band from Otumoetai College, which is making its public debut at the QuarryFest, will perform near the gate from 1pm and afterwards invite visitors to try out its steel pans.
Among the stallholders are Ridgedale Alpacas of Katikati, which will have animals on site, the fruit liqueurs of Distillerie Deinlein, a Cornish pasty maker, herbal soaps and skin-care products, hand-made jewellery, fossils and minerals, children's clothing, airbrush tattoos, patio roses, preserves and hand-made glassware.
A chiropractor is offering free spinal health checks and Breast Cancer Aotearoa will also have an information stand.
The Great Garage Sale is run by Quarry Park volunteers and features garden tools, ornaments, books and plants, as well as gear for outdoor pursuits such as camping and fishing and even some kitchen items.
What: QuarryFest
Where: Te Puna Quarry Park (at the end of Quarry Rd and is signposted off SH2)
When: Sunday, November 4, 10am-4pm, gold coin donation.
Items may still be donated to the garage sale, phone 552 5874 or 578 6569.
