Other attractions include an equestrian section with more than 200 individual events, sheep dog trials, miniature horses, rides, the popular small animals tent, and more than 150 trade exhibitors.
Entry is $10 or free to accompanied children aged 12 and under. Parking free. See www.bayofislandsshow.co.nz for more information.
Book fair
Bibliophiles take note: the Far North's biggest second-hand book fair begins on Friday at BaySport Stadium on Harmony Lane, Waipapa.
The fair is Waipapa Rotary's biggest fundraiser of the year and, as always, features "oodles and oodles of books of all kinds and varieties", according to club member Geoff Tilley.
This year's donations were of particularly high quality, he said. Almost all books are $2.
The hours are 4pm-8pm on Friday and 8am-2pm on Saturday. The proceeds will support a range of Rotary youth and community projects.
'Forest' opens
The children of two Kerikeri early learning centres now have their own forest to play in, complete with stream, mud pool and flying fox.
Ngaherenui ("big forest") is the brainchild of Fiona Shepherd, the owner of Harinui and Arohanui early childhood learning centres on the same Waipapa Rd property.
It also boasts a whare, picnic area and boardwalks set among native trees which are small now but will grow into a real forest.
It was opened last Thursday with close to 100 staff, parents and children present.
Mrs Shepherd said the project had been two years in the making and aimed to give children a place to explore and have fun in nature.
Parents and businesses had given a lot of support, she said.
Arohanui, which caters to children aged 3 to 5, notched up its 13th birthday last week. Harinui, which takes children aged 3 months to 3 years, has been open for nine years. Between them, the centres have about 20 staff and cater to 70 families.
Get swimming
A wave of visitors is expected to hit the Far North when the State Bay of Islands Classic is held on November 22.
Interest in the swimming event has grown since the Far North District Council helped establish the Bay of Islands leg of the national series six years ago.
A record 932 swimmers took part in the 2013 event and Mayor John Carter hopes this year's event is just as popular.
"This is a well-organised, world-class sporting event that brings big crowds to the Bay of Islands for the weekend. It gives accommodation and food outlets a pre-Christmas boost and it showcases the natural beauty of the bay to a national television audience," he said.
He encouraged locals to enter the 3.3km open water swim from Russell to Paihia, the less demanding 300m swim or the 200m OceanKids event for children aged 6-10. Go to www.oceanswim.co.nz to register or for more information.
Opua clean-up
The community group Love Opua is holding a working bee on Sunday, November 16, to clear the bank from Opua School to the bottom of Opua hill.
The beach and the corner at the bottom of the hill will also come in for some attention. Work starts at 9am. Call Marie Sharp on 09 402-6766 for more information.
Meanwhile, Opua's newly formed Neighbourhood Watch Group plans a get-together at the top of the hill, English Bay Rd Reserve, from 2pm this Saturday.
Bring some finger food to share and drinks, but don't forget the liquor ban. Call Gail Thompson on 09 402-6776.
Party time
We probably don't need to remind you, but make a note in your diaries for the evening of November 15 when Northland's biggest street party takes over Kerikeri's main road.
The event, founded by a group of bed-and-breakfast owners and held on the evening of the Kerikeri Half Marathon, regularly attracts a crowd of 5000 people - only slightly less than the town's entire population. More details next week.
Nick's on CD
When Kerikeri St John paramedic Nick Scott isn't saving lives you'll often find him playing guitar at the Pear Tree or the Farmers' Market.
Listeners have long told him they'd buy his CD, if only he had one, so he has finally relented and made a professional recording.
Called From The Corner, the collection of easy-listening instrumental guitar songs costs $20 from the Pear Tree and St John Ambulance Station on Kerikeri Rd. The proceeds go to St John.
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