The picturesque gardens of Sue and Ted Rollinson opens to the public next month for The Rakaia Garden Fete, a fundraiser for Rakaia Land Search and Rescue.
It runs on December 5.
More than 125 vendors will be on site offering everything from garden art and plants, to specialty cheeses, clothing, jewellery and home decor.
Event organiser Sherry Wootton said she, and a small team of volunteers from land search and rescue, would bring the event to life.
She was involved in the first fete in 2020 and then subsequent events.
She also had an background of organising GirlGuiding regional and national camps.
‘‘I’ll also be the main problem solver on the day.’’
Lining the curved driveway will be a market with stalls tucked under trees, along hedges and in open grass areas.
In the food truck area there will be live music as well as tables and chairs, and hay bales for seating.
‘‘Visitors can expect a vibrant atmosphere with more than 125 stalls selling New Zealand made, artisan, handcrafted goods.
‘‘There will be live music, plenty of food trucks and coffee carts, as well as garden tours and two Christmas wreath making demonstrations by florist Anne Gane.’’
The garden features plenty of Sue’s hidden gems where visitors can stroll along a myriad of paths, finding quirky artwork, woodlands areas and old-fashioned plants that are now hard to find.
‘‘Sue’s passion for gardening has transformed their property into a stunning six-acre garden, which provides a picturesque setting for the Fete.’’
The Rollinson’s and their staff dedicate countless hours preparing the gardens and helping to run the event on the day, Wootton said.
‘‘When the Rollinsons first moved to their farm in Dorie, the house was surrounded by rough, bare paddocks.
After two years of clearing the land, Sue began planting her garden in 1984.
‘‘Today, it has matured into a remarkable landscape where she regularly hosts garden tours and weddings, offering visitors a glimpse into her lifelong labour of love.’’
Wootton said the Rollinson’s were big supporters of emergency services, and in the past had supported the Canterbury branch of Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Ashburton St John.
‘‘They decided this year the proceeds should go to Rakaia Land SAR as they are local, and because they don’t receive much in government support.’’
‘‘Sue and Ted love hosting this event, and spend countless hours preparing the gardens, and the market site, as well as helping on the day.
‘‘They even go around in the early morning with an urn and tea and coffee supplies on the back of their ute – handing out free coffee and tea to the vendors while they are setting up,’’ she said.
‘‘They have quite a few of their employees helping with various tasks at the fete this year too – it’s a real local endeavour.’’
- Tickets cost: adult $20, children (over five) $5 and include entry to the fete, gardens, tours and demonstrations (on a first come first served basis). They can be bought at the gate on the day or via Rakaia Mobil, Ashburton: Paper Plus, Lushingtons Garden Centre, Tievoli Trading in Geraldine, PGG Wrightsons in Mayfield and Hammer Hardware in Methven.
