Dalmations gather for a big day out

Dalmations will be celebrating their culture in Dargaville tomorrow.

Croatians from around the country will meet for the first Dargaville Dalmation Day in three years.

Tomorrow's event will include gum scraping and billy tea, raffles, kola dancers, tamburica orchestra, as well as 10 roast lambs on a spit.

The day, which is open to the public, is a joint fundraising project between the Dargaville Dalmatian Social Club and Dargaville Museum.

"It's a celebration of Dalmation music, food and dancers," said museum manager Pene McKenzie.

Locals of Dalmation descent will be joined by members of the Kaitaia and Auckland Dalmation clubs. "We've got a large Dalmation population, but the more the merrier."

The day begins at 9.30am at Harding Park on Mt Wesley Coast Rd, Dargaville. Alongside Dalmation food, there will be a sausage sizzle and refreshments. Entry is $5 per adult and children are free. For more information, contact the museum on 09 439 7555.

The museum has a dedicated Gum Diggers Hall, which tells the story of the Dalmatian gum diggers from early last century.