Kiwis celebrate strawberries at their traditional best: 26-11-2007
Strawberries are the theme for a festival in New Zealand that celebrating all that the juicy red fruit has to offer.
While most of England is feeling the chill, residents of New Zealand are enjoying the finest strawberries around in the Waimate Strawberry Fair that takes place on December 8th.
Strawberries contribute substantially to the area's economy since they were first grown in 1880 and locals flock to Seddon square and Bolland Park every year to sample the sweet fruit.
Visitors to the festivities, that began in 1984, can try their hand at some farming techniques and learn how to build a scarecrow, do some cross-cut sawing and even milking 'Kelcey' and 'Bush' - the resident cows.
The scarecrow competition is hotly contested with two categories of traditional and futuristic up for grabs.
About 14,000 visitors from all over New Zealand and the world descend on the town to enjoy the fair and welcome Santa.
Holidaymakers will be able to eat their weight in strawberries and sit back and enjoy the local folk music.
© Adfero Ltd
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