Discovering what 2013 may hold was obviously on the minds of some holiday makers who had their palms or tarot cards read at the annual Original Gypsy Fair in Whangamata on New Year's Day.

Hundreds elected to spend time in the sun, away from the beach, savouring the foods, entertainment, crafts and rides on offer at the fair staged by 30 travelling gypsy families yesterday.

A mini merry-go-round is a popular attraction at the Original Gypsy Fair in Whangamata.

Silversmith Garry Erskine polishes a piece of greenstone at the Original Gypsy Fair at Whangamata.

As well as fortune tellers the five day fair features wooden crafts, open homes, crystals, herbal products, food and coffee, funky clothes, silver jewellery, candyfloss, glass blowing, bouncy castle, tattooing and piercing, hand painted crafts, pony rides, fork art, leather, and more.

Among the crafts people are Garry Erskine and Joss Campbell of Artifacts West Coast who sell a range of jewellery and ornaments made from bone and greenstone.

Garry is a silversmith who creates new pieces while chatting to people who stop by to admire or purchase his work.

Old fashioned candy floss was a hit with children as were balancing games, hula hoops and a mini merry-go-round.

There was a sparkle show, performances on stilts and unicycles and the village children staged a fire show too and resident musician Carlos entertained on a stage which was also open to local other performers.

The fair's unique handmade goods from inspirational and amusing signs to tie-dyed clothing, to garden art, to wooden toys and ornaments and jewellery set it apart as do the unique.

Many of the travelling homes have mural depicting an earlier gypsy lifestyle.

Follow the signs – to the attractions at the Original Gypsy Fair at Whangamata.

Whangamata holiday makers took time out from the beach to enjoy the Original Gypsy Fair on New Year's Day.