East Takaka Twilight Fair
Plenty of action in the “find-the-needle-in-a-haystack”. Photo: Ina Holst.
This year’s East Takaka Twilight Fair raised over $2000 for the maintenance and ongoing costs of the East Takaka Hall.
Committee member Nancy Ward, who was secretary of the hall committee from 1996 to 2010, said the fair had attracted more stalls than in previous years and the committee already had planned how to spend the money.
“The insurance bill for the hall is quite high and we have to meet that cost annually. We are also going to upgrade the kitchen a bit more with a double sink and some other bits and pieces. The kitchen has come up in the last two annual reports, but the hall is generally in good condition,” Nancy said.
The fair was a huge success, not only for the children, who engaged in all sorts of traditional country fair activities, but there was also entertainment and some bargain opportunities for adults. For fifty cents or a dollar fairgoers could play fish-a-can, hit-the-nail, find-the-needle-in-a-haystack, pick-a-rubber-duck, splat-that-rat, stilt-walking and grass-skiing, while a tree trunk sat silently waiting to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Even dogs joined the fun, sporting their tricks and fancy dress at a special dog show emceed by trainer Jenny Grant and her helpers. Thanks to the canines’ innate instinct for clowning and humour, the dog show was a success with the crowd. Spot prizes were awarded for the best-dressed dog, the dog performing the best party trick or showing off the waggiest tail. Most seemed oblivious to their outfits—whether it was the Staffy wearing pink rabbit ears, the poodle with glasses or the little terriers dressed as fairies—although one had a problem hopping through the tyre with her tutu on and happily obliged once she had shaken it off.
Golden Bay’s ukulele band and Nelson’s Mike Lipscome and Steev Swan provided the musical backdrop to a very pleasant evening in the country.
Ina Holst
