Avocado festival draws in local and visiting crowds

Don Mossop and Jacqui Knight were pleased with the number of people who were enjoying the festival. Photo/ Andrew Warner

Some people were relaxing and enjoying food and drinks, others were dancing to live music and shopping at the craft stalls - but everyone seemed to be enjoying the Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival.

The festival, held at the Uretara Domain on Saturday, featured food, drink and craft stalls, live cooking demonstrations, a kids' zone and live music to keep the crowds entertained.

It was the 15th year the festival has been held in Katikati and organisers say more than $150,000 has been raised over the years to support local community groups and charities.

Tara Boeh gets into the spirit of the Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner

Organising committee chairman Don Mossop said each year the festival chose a different group to support.

"This year the money raised will be going to Katikati Primary School to buy sound systems for their classrooms," he said.

Mossop said the event had grown each year. More than 2500 tickets to the festival were sold last year and numbers were even higher this year.

Katikati avocado food and wine festival Kokomo perform.

"It has been a great day, there's a really good feel about it," he said.

Jacqui Knight, Katikati promotions manager, was pleased with the turnout on Saturday.

"There has been a steady stream of people coming through the gates. This year it feels like there are more locals here which is really great," she said.

Katikati avocado food and wine festival (l-r) Lucy and Amanda Morrison. Photo / Andrew Warner