Yatton Park, Tauranga will be alive with music and entertainment, stalls, and good kai on Saturday 27 March. Merivale Festival is a community gala day to celebrate the positive values and community spirit of Merivale, a chance for Merivale residents to introduce to Tauranga to our neighbourhood.

Merivale Festival is the culmination of the combined efforts of Merivale School, the Merivale Whānau Aroha Centre, Tutarawānanga Te Kōhanga Reo, and Merivale Community Inc.

This year the theme is "Planting Seeds Today, Growing A Fresh Tomorrow, Building Our Community Together." The theme reflects a community passion for gardening and sustainable living that has been our positive response to difficult financial times.

"Merivale is a community that has a rich history and an exciting future," commented Graham Cameron, Services Manager at the Merivale Community Centre. "Often this is hidden from the rest of Tauranga. On 27 March, we are going to celebrate with our city."

The Festival will offer a myriad of fun activities. A few examples: In association with Mosaic Church, bands and local talent will entertain people; we are celebrating our elders in the Kaumātua Tent; children and parents can learn about the joy and satisfaction of gardening in our planting stall; and Merivale Community Centre will be offering Māori burgers, and a chance for people to contribute to our community.

The Merivale Festival is free entry, and will be run at Yatton Park, Fraser St, Tauranga from 10am-3pm on Saturday 27 March. In the event of rain, the Festival will move to the Merivale Action Centre at Merivale School, Kesteven Ave, Tauranga.