All things avocado will be celebrated in Katikati this weekend at the annual Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival.

Cooking demonstrations, food stalls and even craft will be focused on the fleshy green fruit which is grown in abundance in the district.

The festival started life 20 years ago as the Katikati Funfest, and in 2003 it morphed into a food and wine festival to raise funds for local charities.

More than $150,000 has been raised since then and this year proceeds will be given to Katikati Primary School to purchase classroom sound systems to help improve student learning.

Chair of the festival organising committee, Don Mossop, says the event has grown substantially over the past five years with more than 2000 tickets sold last year.

'It has grown significantly year-on-year,” says Don, 'with a real focus on food and entertainment. We have local craft beer and wineries represented and we've got a fabulous line-up of talent this year.

'There's also free entertainment for the children and art and craft stalls.”

The Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival is at Uretara Domain from 11am to 6pm.

The headline act is the Flying Kiwis, supported by Mark Taipari, Kokomo and the local Troupe Waihi.

There will be a cooking demonstration by Bay of Plenty chef Shane Yardley and local vendors will be there with a wide variety of goods, including food, wine and craft beer.

A free kids' zone will include bouncy castles, puppets and face painting.

Tickets will be on sale at the gate for $25, with under-18s able to attend free when accompanied by an adult.