Barry, the patient Kiwi bloke usually found quietly reading his paper on a park bench on Katikati's Main Street, found himself surrounded by lanterns and lights on Friday night.

The Katikati Lanterns and Lights Parade illuminated Kotahi Lane with street entertainment, food and illuminated creations as Katikati locals turned out to enjoy the evening

'Mrs Barry' kept Barry company while the magical fun of the lantern parade swirled around them.

The Friday winter event was organised by Katch Katikati with support from Project Parore and Creative NZ, with the organisers saying "it was a brilliant evening with a huge turnout".

Participants enjoying the Katikati Lanterns and Lights Parade on Friday evening. Photo: Supplied.

In the days leading up to the event, lantern workshops were held so that people could create their own lantern.

On Friday night, the Katikati College Senior A netball team cooked up yummy sausages for the crowd, with Little Miss Jay providing coffee and Lil Orbits Donuts adding to the tasty food and drinks with their own delicious treats.

Performers from Circus in a Flash and FLAME Entertainment joined in with Katikati's local 'Dancing Divas' to provide entertainment. Party in the Bay delighted children with face painting.

A giant fish lantern. Photo: Supplied.

"Mrs Barry" keeping Barry company during the parade and festivities. Photo: Supplied.

Project Parore, which aims to improve environmental outcomes in the northern Tauranga Harbour, combined forces with Katch Katikati's Lantern's and Light Parade to bring attention to the creatures of the local waterways.

'Local streams contain several types of native fish, including the six species whose juveniles make up what are commonly known as whitebait,” says Project Parore deputy chair Lawrie Donald.

He adds that these fish are, 'seldom seen because they are secretive, small and camouflaged”.

'Many of our native fish are also rare. Three quarters of our indigenous freshwater fish (39 out of 51 species) are threatened with extinction or are at risk of becoming threatened.”

One of the giant fish lanterns created for the parade. Photo: Supplied.

A key reason for that these fish are being threatened is because their habitats are changing.

'All manner of man-made impediments alter water flow and prevent the essential migratory movement up and down streams that galaxiids (whitebait species) in particular must have to breed successfully,” says Lawrie.

A Circus in a Flash performer. Photo: Lisa Collett.

On board to help our fishy friends has been lantern making extraordinaire Ally Rogers, who has held lantern making ‘Master Classes' to teach the Katikati community how to make lanterns and then share their skills to others. Although she has made lanterns ranging from ogres to bats, crafting fish or ika (fish) lanterns has been a fresh experience to Ally.

'I've never ever made fish lanterns in my life which has been really cool – it has been a challenge. I just got really excited about these poor little fish who don't get any press,” says Ally.

'They're [whitebait] actually an incredibly beautiful fish that I had never taken any notice of before until I started designing lanterns for this festival and had a really good look,” says Ally, who describes the silver, blue and gold colours of these native fish as 'stunning”.

Fairies and fish magically lit up for the Katikati Lanterns and Light Parade on Friday. Photo: Supplied.

Participants, "divas" and dancers enjoying the Katikati Lanterns and Lights Parade on Friday evening. Photo: Supplied.

Project Parore are currently working with BOP Regional Council and landowners to 'fix the barriers to fish passage” in each of the eight water catchments at the north end of Tauranga Harbour.

'If they're allowed to grow into adult fish they're just incredible,” says Ally.

One of the lantern making workshops held over the July school holidays. Photo: Supplied.

One of the lantern making workshops held over the July school holidays. Photo: Supplied.

The Larntern and Lights Parade was a perfect way to combine all the thoughts around the local whitebait while having a lot of small town community fun.

"Just what Katikati needed last night. It brought everyone together, out of doors and safely," says Christine Donehue on the Katch Katikati Facebook page on Saturday. "Hats off to the organisers. Small towns showing how its done!"

"Thank you for creating a fundraiser opportunity too," writes Michelle Raitak. "Katikati College Senior A netball team would like to thank everyone that supported us and enjoyed the yummy sausages on a cold winters evening,"

"The Lanterns and Lights parade and event this evening was awesome! Thanks to all the lantern creators in the lantern parade and to everyone who came and supported the event. It was a fabulous night out for Katikati!" says a Katch Katikati spokesperson on their Facebook page.

People gathering for the parade on Friday night. Photo: Supplied.

A Circus in a Flash performer at the Katikati Lanterns and Lights Parade. Photo: Supplied.