Thousands came to celebrate all the cultures of the Western Bay of Plenty.

Katikati Festival of Cultures was a vibrant celebration of diverse cultural backgrounds and included a flag parade featuring multiple nationalities followed by an afternoon of food and entertainment at Moore Park last weekend.

Committee member Kylie Watkins said it was an amazing day with plenty of love and hugs shared.

“The vibrancy and colour that lit up Moore Park was mind-blowing and have never seen Katikati so colourful. I’ve also never been hugged by so many strangers in my life… it was lovely.”

A stand-out moment for her was seeing the excitement of children in the lead-up to the Holi-inspired powder throw. It seemed to be a highlight for a lot of people, she said.

RSE workers from Vanuatu get ready for their performance. Photo / Rebecca Mauger

First up was the flag parade down Carisbrooke St led by Bay of Plenty Pipes and Drums. More than 26 countries were represented and 200 people marched to show their homeland pride.

The parade ended at Moore Park with a pōwhiri, and numerous cultural performances, interactive workshops, stalls and international food.

Various ethnicities showed off traditional dances on the big stage including a kapa haka group, Katikati College Pasifika Group, a Cambodian group, the Ni-Vanuatu Bay of Plenty Association, the Tauranga Chinese Cultural Arts Group, Kunza Chilean Dance Group, the Kiribati Community Group, Eastpack RSE Vanuatu and Fijian groups, DMS RSE group and Seeka RSE group. Alan Maxwell was the MC for the day.

Jessica Walker from Ōpōtiki came in support of RSE workers from Tauranga. Photo / Rebecca Mauger

Stalls showcased food from all over the world including Māori kai, Pacific Islands flavours and the foods of France, the Philippines, China, Thailand, Nepal, India and more.

Symbolising new beginnings was the powder throw in the afternoon where children splattered each other with colour explosions.

Asa Borber and Asaak Doran from Tauranga, originally from Indonesia. Photo / Rebecca Mauger

Chinese dance group from Tauranga. Photo / Rebecca Mauger

Margaret, Roseanne, Atiata and Mounga (front) from Katikati, performed a Tongan dance. Photo / Rebecca Mauger

Tu Lam from Katikati with Phuomg Lam and Kimberley Brookhouse on holiday from Vietnam. Photo / Rebecca Mauger

Constables from Katikati Police Station. Photo / Rebecca Mauger