PHOTOS: Summer Festival at Ruakākā Races turns on the sun

Dunix Stenberg, 7, had a hopping great time in the sack race at the Interislander Summer Festival racing meeting at Ruakākā on Saturday.

The sun turned it on for the Interislander Summer Festival racing meeting at Ruakākā on Saturday.

Hundreds of punters, and plenty with kids, turned up for the first racing meet of the year in Northland and the weather certainly played its part.

There was plenty of free entertainment for the kids to go with the afternoon of racing.

Northern Advocate photographer Tania Whyte went along to capture the action on and off the track.

Paige, 14, Nicole and Craig Dudley get some sun on the terraces at the Ruakākā racetrack.

Horse owners Helen Witehead and Jo Cole enjoy their day at the races.

In the best spot, the shade, are Shannon McNabb, Walter Wells with Brett and Sam Robinson.

Kylie Stanaway and Tracey Lugtiheid came along to support Tracey's niece, Jockey Tegan Newman.

Andrew and Hannah Young with Lawrence Bailey looking the part at the summer festival.

Kelsie Pulman,7, does a great job in the sack race.