Good morning and welcome to Saturday. Kia ora. Kia ngahau me o whanau me o hoa.

The MetService is forecasting a fine day ahead with southeasterly breezes.

It's a two-clothing-layer day with an expected high of 24 degrees around 3pm, and an overnight low of 13 degrees. High tide is at 9.22am and low tide at 3.26pm. Sunset is at 8.30pm.

What's on today?

Tauranga Farmers Market

Visit one the many markets happening today. The Tauranga Farmers Market runs from 8am – 12noon at Tauranga Primary School in Fifth Ave with live music from The Whittakers band. The Little Big Markets are on today from 9am -2pm at Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui, and the Greerton Hall Market is running at the Greerton Hall in Cameron Rd from 8am – 12noon.

The Mount Maunganui Lions Club Book Fair is on at the Mount Sports Centre today and Sunday.

This weekend is the 21^st anniversary of the popular and successful Mount Maunganui annual book fair. Hosted by Mount Maunganui Lions Club at the Mount Sports Centre on Maunganui Rd, the book fair is held over three days, starting on Friday and finishing tomorrow. As in previous years, there is a good range of pre-loved books, plus DVDs, CDs and jigsaw puzzles at various prices and there is a sausage sizzle and refreshment stand outside the main entrance. The fair runs from 9am – 5pm each day, and funds raised by the Lions goes directly to supporting local groups within the community.

Natasha Thomas, organiser of The Battle of the BBQs

The Battle of the BBQs festival at Mount Maunganui kicks off at 12noon today and will feature over 20 teams of cooks competing today and tomorrow for the title of ‘Master of the Grill'. There is also a classic car and hot rod show, as well as live musical performances and plenty of food stalls to enjoy. Click here for more information.

The Rebels Football Academy are holding a free summer football development programme at Western Ave Sports Grounds in Omokoroa for girls age five to 12 years.

Skatescool Tauranga are running a public roller disco session for all ages and abilities, featuring a limbo competition and cha cha slide dance from 1pm – 3pm every day of the school holidays at 2 Roxanne Pl, Poike. Hot food and cold drinks are available on site. Entry is $11, with $4 skate hire. Spectators and under 5s are free.

The Pepi Toot Beach Express is out and about around Mount Maunganui today and tomorrow from 10am. Come for a ride and see the Mount area from a new perspective. More information here

Learn to sew at Re:Maker

Enjoy workshops at Re:Maker, with the community of makers, located at Our Place in Willow St. Click here for more information.

The ‘First We Eat' festival kicks off at midday today at the Wharepai Domain, and features legendary headline acts including Dave Dobbyn and The Feelers, while a host of chefs will curate their own themed ‘food streets'.

Come along to the Jam Factory in 17^th Ave tonight for ‘Laughing in Bedlam', an intimate evening of story telling through original song. For more information click here

Some of the exhibits on display at 'Maumahara' at Tauranga Historic Village.

Maumahara, a textile exhibition by Rangimarie Elvin is open today from 10am - 3pm at the Incubator Creative Hub. Click here for more

Diana Bomford, Tony Fraser and Hugh Bomford at the Lion and Tusk Museum at Mount Maunganui

Have you been to the Lion and Tusk Museum yet? It's open today from 10am - 3pm at Unit 4, 14 Portside Dr, Mount Maunganui. Come and see a massive display of Rhodesian military history records and exhibits of uniforms, medals and equipment. Opening hours are 10am – 3pm Thursday to Sunday. For more information click here

The Incubator

At The Incubator Creative Hub at Tauranga Historic Village, there are many exhibitions, workshops and events happening daily. For more information click here. Exhibition hours are 10am – 2.30pm.

Classic Rocks Covers Band

Classic Rocks Covers Band are playing at Jack Dusty's Ale House this evening from 7.30pm. Come hear Colin Gardiner on lead vocals, Sid Signal on drums, Clive Lewis on lead guitar and Greg Bettridge on bass guitar.

What else is on today?

$1000 Choral Scholarships Opportunity
Secondary/tertiary students with choral singing experience invited to apply for 2021 $1000 scholarship place with Scholars Baroque Aotearoa Chamber Choir. Info/audition/inquiries: www.scholarsbaroque.com scholars@scholarsbaroque.com

Art in the Park
Original art for sale. Weather permitting. 9am - 4pm. Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui. Tauranga Society of Artists

Association Croquet
At Club Mt Maunganui, Kawaka St. Mon, Wed, Sat; 9.15am for 9.30am start. Visitors, new players welcome. Ph. Jacqui 07 574 9232

Beth-El Messianic Family
Celebrate Shabbat the Sabbath (Sat) as Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) & all early believers did. All Welcome 10am Otumoetai Primary Hall. Joel van Ameringen 021768043 www.BethEl.org.nz

Car Boot Sale
Welcome Bay Community Church, 340 Welcome Bay Rd. 8-11. $5/stall. Sausage sizzle. Cancelled if wet. Ph 07 544 0682

GREERTON HALL MARKET
Second and last Saturday of each month. 8am-12pm. Stalls inside/outside. Discounts for charity groups. Refreshments at kitchen. Phone/txt for site. Tricia 075431487 or 0279082952, www facebook.com/greertonhallmarket

Holy Trinity Garage Sale
20 3rd Ave, 9am. Eftpos available. Early childhood equipment, resources, toys. General household items, music/records, whiteware, sports gear, furniture etc. Fundraising for HTT refurbishment project.

Katikati Twilight Concerts
Gates open 5pm, music at 6pm. Haiku Reserve, Main Rd, Katikati. Tickets available at Katikati Information Ctr or katikaticoncerts@gmail.com or ph Dianne 07 549 3522

Laughing In Bedlam Concert
Story telling through songs. Observations of the pandemic, the Alps, Tongariro & the Catlins. 7pm, Jam Factory, Historic Village, 17th Ave. Book @ www.theincubator.co.nz

Les Misérables auditions
Tauranga Musical Theatre is staging Les Misérables at Baycourt Theatre in September 2021. Auditions are being held 24-28 February. Audition booking info at www.tmt.org.nz

LOL Laughter Wellness
We don't laugh because we're happy, we're happy because we laugh! Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, 11-11:45am. No experience required. Koha. Ph Trish 022 036 6768 lollaughterwellness@gmail.com

Otumoetai Tennis Club
Adult tennis. 1.30 pm. Bellevue Park , Windsor Road (adjacent to swimming pool). New players and visitors welcome. Ph Victor 0275771818 a/hrs.

Rebirthing/Breathwork Group Event
Join Peter at https://www.meetup.com/tauranga-self-exploration-via-rebirthing-breathwork/ to attend this event 2-4pm. Limited spaces. Future events also.

Struggling with Debt?
Free help to anyone in need, through our debt counselling team. A sustainable solution and real hope for the future. Ph Free 0508 227 111 or www.capnz.org

Te Puke Toy Library
Come check us out & hire some great toys to keep your kids busy! Wed 10am-1pm, Thurs 2:30pm-4:30pm, Fri 10am-1pm. Also Friday Playgroup 10am-12 & Sat 10am-1.

The Sociables
A group of males & females in their 30s/40s/50s that meet to participate in events, dining out or bushwalks. Ph 022 012 0376