Fun times at school gala days

GOOD SPORT: Principal Martin van Rijs Wijk came in for a lot of attention from the students as he is drenched by the spraying hoses at ArtoberFest in the grounds of Whangarei Primary school last year. This year the school has some changes planned for its annual fundraiser - a gala day and food fair. PHOTO/FILE

This weekend punters around the region can look forward to three gala days to keep whanau entertained.

Whangarei Primary School's big annual fundraiser is going ahead today from 3.30pm to 7.30pm, but there's been some changes from the traditional ArtoberFest, with a gala day and food fair taking its place - and an attempt at setting a world record.

Organisers say there will still be plenty of entertainment for the whole family, with hangi, Asian foods, South African foods, a cake stall, sweets, a sausage sizzle, money golf, teacher torture, horizontal bungy, haunted classroom, book and toy sale, quick fire raffles, games, art and crafts, kapa haka and a talent show.

There will also be an attempt at setting a Jump Jam world record - Jump Jam is a dance routine set to music that kids at Whangarei Primary take part in each week as a fun fitness activity. The aim is to get as many kids, parents, aunties, uncles, grandparents, friends and neighbours as possible along for the record attempt.

The school is aiming to get 2000 people taking part to set a world record at 7pm. It is still waiting on confirmation from Jump Jam headquarters that this will set a new record.

Totara Grove School's annual Food and Entertainment Festival is also back again today from 4pm to 7pm. Last year's festival attracted thousands of people and this year's event is predicted to be even bigger.

If you're feeling a bit peckish there will be a variety of kai including hangi, hot pork rolls, steak sandwiches, butter chicken, sushi, hot pizza, taniwha burgers, seafood chowder, candy floss and more.

There will also be performances from local talent.

To wrap up the weekend of school galas Ngunguru School's Gala/Fireworks Extravaganza will offer up rock-wall climbing, hot rod cars, digger rides, pony rides, giant slide, live entertainment, food stalls, a bonfire and a fireworks display.

The event, based at the school, is on Sunday from 3.30pm.