There are two top festivals on today; the Merivale Community Festival and the Oropi School Harvest Festival.

The Oropi School Harvest Festival is a celebration of the season and involves a hangi, giant vegetable competition, love music, chopper ‘trike' rides and the unique event: ‘ride a bike – shear a sheep'.

Kane Gerimmett, 8 with his winning pumpkins which will be on show at the Oropi harvest festival today from 10am to 3pm.

The event is at Oropi School, 1334 Oropi Road from 10am.

The Merivale Community Festival carries the theme Kia Toa (man up). It is an opportunity for families to explore ways to get active and healthy without it being expensive. Also at the festival are stalls for budget advice, Quitline and Relationship Services. It is on at Yatton Park from 10am to 3pm.

Saturday 2 April

12 Step Recovery Group for Women
Every Sat at Hanmer Clinic AA meeting room, 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton (behind Tyre Master) 10am. Ph/txt 021 022 05550 or email: [email protected]
Art in the Park
Coronation Park, Mount 7.30am – 5pm. Tauranga Society of Artists offer for sale a variety of art to suit all tastes. Sunday if wet.
Badminton Have a Go Day
At Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre 10am – 12pm. Try the fastest racket sport in the world for a gold coin donation. Proceeds going to the Christchurch Red Cross Appeal. Tom 578 0016 extn 810 or [email protected]
Brazilian Drumming
Every Sat 11am - 1pm. No experience required. Gold coin donation. All welcome. Phil 021 075 4300 or www.taurangasamba.org
Come Dancing Tonight
Tauranga Social Dance - sequence & old time dancing at Greerton Hall 8-11.30pm. Friendly atmosphere, good music & supper. Entry $5. All welcome. Bev 543 0204
Friendship Club
For people aged 50 plus interested in friendship & social outings at weekends. Walking, dining out, pot lucks etc. Joyce 578 0226
Friendship Dining Group
Males/females 30's/40's. 022 012 0376
Healthy Living
Sharing the concept of food classification (acid/alkaline), practical detoxification & vegetarian cooking etc. Every Sat 11am - 1pm for 6 weeks. Adults welcome. Jessica 571 2371
Hypnotherapy & Self Development Workshop
Brain Watkins Trust Hall April 16 10am – 2pm. Learn self hypnosis techniques for personal development, relaxation & change. Cost $25, bring lunch – tea/coffee provided. Limited places. Terry 544 2619 or [email protected]
Messianic Meeting: Ha Derech - The Way
Sharing The Truth, The Way, & The Life together. All ages & backgrounds Jew & non Jew welcome. Every Sat 10am. Geoff or Pamela 570 1438
Monster Garage Sale
At Greerton Hall April 9 7am – 12pm. All proceeds going to the people of Christchurch.
Movie Yourself for Christchurch
Watch ‘This Way of Life' at Te Puna Quarry Park 8pm (wet weather day March 27). Gates open 6pm. Movie starts 8pm. Contribute $10, all proceeds to Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. RSVP on Facebook: Te Puna Quarry Summer Trust www.performatthequarry.org.nz
Otumoetai Market
At Otumoetai Primary School first Sat of every month. Fruit/eves, crafts, books & more. Stalls $10. Briar 576 6605 or email: [email protected]
Papamoa School Gala
At Papamoa School, cnr Parton & Dickson Rd starts 9.30am. Many stalls including quick fire raffles, food stalls, second hand books & toys. Fun for all the family.
Parade of Fashion
By Gables Fashions & Temptation Lingerie 2pm at Carmel Country Estate, Hollister Lane. Our own resident models. Afternoon tea to follow. $2 donation. Proceeds to Waipuna Hospice.
Pongakawa Playcentre Carboot Sale
Fundraiser April 9 8.30am – 12.30pm at the Pongakawa Community Hall. On in all weather. Ants 533 3233
Rotary Club 24th Easter Book Sale
At Seeka Coolstore, Totara St, Mount April 23-26. Times: April 23 & 24 9am – 5pm, April 25 – 12-5pm. April 26 9am – 12pm. Need your books, magazines, sheet music, records, DVD's, jigsaw puzzles! Deliver to: Caltex Welcome Bay, Caltex Papamoa, Caltex Greerton, Caltex 14th Ave. Mobil Brookfield, BP Katikati, Phillips Garage Fraser St, Hire Pool Pyes Pa, Bethlehem Motors, Shell Omokoroa. Or for collection Ross 544 0817
Tauranga Breast Cancer Support Service
Group meeting at Tauranga Club, Devonport Rd, Tga. Speakers presenting on breast cancer & younger women. Gold coin donation. All welcome. Julie 571 3346 or email: [email protected]
Tauranga Jet Sport Assn - Jet Ski Race
At Harrisons Cut, 440 Papamoa Beach Rd. Approx 50 jetskis racing as part of North Island Summer Series. Racing starts 11am. Come & see the local riders go up against the city slickers.
Tauranga Synchronised Swimming Club
Beginners training at Baywave 9-10.30am every Sat during term time. Girls of any age, as long as they are confident swimmers & enjoy the water. Free tryout any Saturday. Pool entry fee applies. Ange 552 5416
Tauriko Fundraiser
For Christchurch Playcentres - Pyjama party at Chipmunks April 9 6-8pm. $12 child, $2 adult. For tickets, Kaye 543 2369