Opotiki will be celebrating the announcement of a new harbour entrance by closing the road for a street party on Saturday.

The street party on Elliot Street will include music from Sons of Zion and local performers.

The announcement is the best reason to "close the road and celebrate this milestone together as a community," says Opotiki mayor Lyn Riesterer

The government will be investing $79.4 million into the building the new entrance, adding to the $20 million previously pledged by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council under its Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Together, this funding is the green light for the long-planned build of twin seawalls which will allow year-round, all-tide access to the town.

Lyn says there are so many people and agencies to thank and acknowledge for 20 years of work, that she is worried she'd miss someone if she tried.

"I know for certain that the biggest thanks needs to go to the community as a whole. They have been behind us all the way for so many years.

'This project has provided a vision for us to build a future that turns our negative statistics around. And the local people and local businesses have kept backing up our efforts to do this and it has finally paid off.

"So we are taking a moment to celebrate with some live music, food, games for the kids, a few speeches and some well-deserved congratulations.

"This moment is important to stop, reflect, acknowledge and celebrate. Because from here there is some hard mahi to make sure this project hits all the right notes - it employs local people, it provides pathways and training opportunities and we benefit from this entrance in every way possible.".

There will be food trucks and children's activities available including face painting and rides.

The council says to bring cash for food and activities a blanket to sit on to listen to the live music.

Elliot Street between Church Street and St John Street will be closed off for the party.

The party is on from 4pm to 8pm, Saturday, March 14.

More information can be found here.