Great turnout for Dannevirke Spring Festival

Carnival time at Totara College on Saturday for Abigail and Elijah Max.

Superb weather and crowds eager to soak up the atmosphere were the highlights of Dannevirke's big weekend of Spring Festival activities.

At Totara College the annual garden and craft expo attracted more visitors than ever before, teacher Jonny Max said.

"There was a real festive and carnival atmosphere and we're absolutely chuffed with the success of the day. We're still buzzing," he told the Dannevirke News. Stall holders were happy to have so many shoppers keen for a bargain and Mr Max said a Wellington bookseller had a bumper day.

"He was kept busy with customers throughout the day," he said.

And it was a boomer year for the Southern Hawke's Bay Federation of Women's Institutes with their annual handcraft competition attracting record entries, up 100 on previous years to 400.

"It's amazing how many hours of work have gone into this year's exhibits, it's wonderful," president Joy Cumming said.

With the Dannevirke Cottage Quilters, Floral Art Group and the Art Society all hosting exhibitions there was plenty to attract visitors to town throughout the weekend.

And a day out on the oval at the A&P Showgrounds was a must for dog owners and their hounds taking part in the Ruahine Kennel Association's two-day Dog Dayz event.

This year the event went off without a hitch, unlike last year when storms blew down gazebos and startled dogs and their owners.