Tauranga Racecourse was buzzing with activity, as crowds flocked to the annual Interislander Summer Festival.

The Festival, hosted at the Tauranga Race Course yesterday, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and this year was no exception.

People of all ages enjoyed the thrilling racing action, live music and tasty local fare.

'A day at the races is a Kiwi summertime tradition. Adults can unwind after the Christmas rush, catch up with friends, and dabble in the odd flutter, while the kids are occupied by our all-day entertainment,” says Racing Tauranga spokesperson Abbie Davie.

'We were delighted by the great turnout. Despite the overcast skies, the weather was still lovely and warm. The upbeat trackside atmosphere was infectious.”

The Interislander Summer Festival has 36 events this season, with holiday races at some of the country's most picturesque racecourses from Ruakaka in the north, to Waikouaiti in the south.

See theraces.co.nz for more details about these and other major race days this summer.