Recent Kauaeranga Valley Hall renovations will be celebrated with a good old traditional community fair on Saturday.
Built by valley settlers in 1902 and leased by the Department of Education for use as a school until 1943, the hall is the focal centre of a vibrant community. Residents have worked hard over the years to ensure the historic hall is maintained to an excellent usable level. With grant funding from Lion Foundation, the Hall Society decided to get some much needed work completed before winter.
The hall itself was repainted inside and out; the hall sign repainted by local artist Win Tyrell-Baxter; the carpark re-levelled and re-gravelled; a new all-access path laid from the carpark to the hall; and old, crumbling steps re-surfaced. To celebrate the completion of the work, the residents are holding a fund-raising celebration on Saturday, April 17, from 11am to 2pm with a BYO picnic for all-comers.
The event will include local band, The Dirty Firth, produce stalls, a pet parade, bouncy castle and face painting, along with an afternoon of traditional family outdoor games from the past – sack races, egg-and-spoon races, tug-o-war, and the like.
There will also be a silent auction of goods and services donated by local residents. These include a trailer of firewood, a Hunderwasse print, one night’s accommodation in the local Mangotahi Lodge, and many others.
It is hoped to raise sufficient funds to further improve the hall and its surrounds. This will be a celebration for all the family and everyone is invited.
DETAILS: April 17, 11am at the Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
