Greerton Village looked stunning for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, with blossom trees at their season's peak.

Local retailers put out sales tables and specials for the crowds of people flocking into the village, and Chadwick Road was part-closed to make way for the display of cars from the Custom and Street Car Club.

The Al Dawson Band entertained on the stage in the village green, while across the road Greerton Village School held their popular gala with a variety of stalls and entertainment. The school is raising much needed funds for their next playground project. On the school rotunda stage were senior and junior jump jammers, vocalists, quick fire raffles, the school Pacifica group, and Jock Hume the Singing Cowboy who has made a return to Greerton after a few years' break.

Circus in a Flash entertained with unicyclists and stilt walking as well as providing circus workshops which proved to be very popular. Rock ‘n roll dancing, jeeps, bouncy castles, petting zoo stalls, temporary tattoos, candyfloss, and even a haunted house made for a fun outing.

'We love coming here to the Cherry Blossom Festival,” says Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller, who lives in Pyes Pa and was enjoying the day out with his family. 'I even found a painting, a piece of nostalgia, in a local shop.”

Stilt walker from Circus in a Flash.

The Steampunk Tauranga group was out in full costume, adding to the festival vibe, and enjoying lunch at Zest Café after spending time taking in the cars and entertainment.

A ‘No Reserve' auction was held in the Village Square followed by prize giving for the car show. Crockford Real Estate also provided a hamper raffle.

The judging of the Cherry Blossom Festival Window Dressing Competition was carried out earlier in the week, with Three Little Whimzee the winner of the Sun Media $750 marketing and advertising package. Runner up was Zest Café, with Highly Commended certificates going to MD's Leatherworks, Waipuna Hospice, ATAXZ Accountants and the S.P.C.A. Op Shop.

The recent upgrade to Cameron Road has meant a busy time as road works were completed prior to the festival, with resurfacing, road marking and plantings near the ‘top shops' enhancing the return to a village feel. The traffic lights are now up and running, and being carefully monitored.

Rowan Ford Dawson from Circus in a Flash.

'I have spoken to three businesses this week in Cameron Road, all of who think the improvements are great,” says Greerton Mainstreet Manager Sally Benning. 'One shop reports the best trading in August since the beginning of this year, another reports absolutely no downturn and another just loves it.

'This is not to detract from the businesses who have suffered over the last five months, and we fully take that on board and trust that with the work completed, they will experience a return to their former trading.”

Supported by volunteers from Greerton Lions and Community Patrols, the Greerton Village Cherry Blossom Festival has been running annually for over a decade and looks to continue for many years to come.

Greerton Village Cherry Blossom festival street scene.

Members of Steampunk Tauranga enjoying lunch at Zest Cafe.

Susie Pankhurst, Pam Stamp and Catriona Harding making candyfloss at Greerton Village School gala.