 
Te Aroha News
26 March 2009
Dragoons and ducks add to fun at A Day in the Domain..
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| ARMED: The 5th Waikato Dragoons of Alf's Imperial Army battling Te Aroha locals for the right to historic croquet lawn. |
People came as far as Hamilton for Te Aroha's annual A Day in the Domain.
Over 50 stalls catering for all ages lured over 2000 people through the gates.
Previously run by the Piako Community Arts Council, A Day in the Domain had been taken over by a new committee who were extremely happy with how the day went.
"People stayed for the whole day. Normally they would come for half-an-hour and go home, but there were people that arrived at 10am and didn't leave until 4pm," committee spokeperson Michele Laurie said.
Food and drink were also available on the day, with some people opting to bring picnics which kept with the event's theme - family craft and picnic day.
"We wanted something people can bring their families to," committee president Mary Hansen said.
Entertainment included a teddy bears' picnic and puppet shows for the children, acoustic guitarist Steve Hancock and a roller blade demonstration by the Pirate City Rollers.
The 5th Waikato Dragoons of Alf's Imperial Army laid claim to the historic croquet lawn, which was defended by the Domain Day committee.
"It was great fun," Mrs Laurie said. "We mounted a resistance and defended this hallowed piece of turf (the croquet lawn).''
Te Aroha Primary PTA ran its unique Duck Day fundraiser in conjunction with the Day in the Domain.
Over 100 plastic ducks were purchased by members of the public to race along the Tutumangao Stream, from Church St down to Herries Park.
"We raised $1400,'' PTA member Katrina Sweetman said.
She said the whole event went really well. "It is the selling of the tickets that was the hard part. Everything else was a breeze."
All proceeds raised will go towards the pruchase of smartboards in the schools classrooms.
By Letitia Atkinson @ Piako Post
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