Who knew someone's back yard would accommodate for the biggest and best blues picnic in the Bay of Plenty? It seems hundreds of people did yesterday after the annual Marchwood Blues Picnic attracted crowds from all over the region – including me.

The Marchwood Blues Picnic attracted hundreds yesterday. Photos by: Bruce Barnard and Andrew Campbell.

Yesterday was the first time I attended the picnic with my partner's family and was pleased to note the afternoon gave me everything but the blues.

With a picnic of sandwiches and biscuits - an afternoon at the Marchwood Blues Picnic was the perfect place to spend an afternoon in the sun.

A relaxing blues melody played by Chris Gunn and Gunshy welcomed crowds to Omokoroa residents Peter Archer and Carol Murphy's backyard on Youngson Road at midday.

When I first arrived only a couple of people were dancing in front of the stage before the recently formed UK singer Tara Watson rolled out the Black Velvet carpet with a cover from Welsh singer Duffy.

Despite other originals it was the cover of Duffy's song ‘Mercy' that got the crowds moving.

Further into the afternoon – and two or three BYO alcoholic beverages down – Blues band Kokomo and Anton Tipi Elkington brought more people to the dance floor.

Not long after Beasley Street were invited to the stage bringing the house down with more blues tunes.

As the afternoon sun started to disappear, and the gourmet food, wine, beer and ice-cold slushy's beginning to sell-out the afternoon drew to an end.

That was when the blue's really started kicking in with the realization that the 8-hour long event was nearing 8pm.

The backyard on Youngston Road was a great venue for the blues picnic with people invited to pitch a tent for the night.

Selling more pre-sale tickets than ever before I think it is safe to say Peter and Carol surely do know how to throw a good picnic.