Queenstown Primary School is $30,000 better off after its popular annual school fair was held on Saturday.
Thousands of pupils, parents, grandparents, staff and friends of the school enjoyed the fun for all ages at the major fundraiser of the year, which doubled as a school showcase for the community.
All the favourite attractions were there, from food and cake stalls, hangi, books, clothes, bouncy castle, chocolate wheel, to Harley-Davidson, police car, fire engine and pony rides, a white elephant stall and raffles.
Some stalls raised funds for specific annual activities, such the urban camp in Wellington, the Stewart Island camp and the kapa haka visit to a Southern marae.
Wakatipu High School pupils Alex Mackenzie (16), Lily Gamson (13), Emily Molloy (13), Billie Parvin (13) and Bayley Bennett (13) returned to help their former school by selling clown balloons for a dollar each.
Tables groaned under the weight of pre-loved children's clothes and the ground was covered in children's shoes and toys and bric-a-brac in a marquee, where there was a very brisk trade.
Parents laid down a hangi early on Saturday and served 300 parcels of lamb, chicken, pumpkin, carrots and cabbage for lunch, at $10 per parcel.
About $31,000 in goods, services and activities were given by Wakatipu businesses for the silent auction and chocolate wheel.
Parent Heather Black, on behalf of the Queenstown Primary School Parent-Teacher Association, said yesterday proceeds would fund special interest activities and teachers kept a wish list of extra resources.
The latest total exceeded last year's sum of about $25,000.
''We're thrilled with the day. Last year it rained on us half way through, so the weather was kind to us,'' Mrs Black said.
''Everyone pulled together and it ran smoothly. Thanks to the community for their very generous support and for coming along and enjoying the day.''
