Organisers of January's Mercury Bay Seaside Carnival are seeking volunteers to help set up the annual summer event that last year raised about $18,000 for Mercury Bay Area School.

An aerial shot of last year's seaside carnival. Mercury Bay Area School pupil Aaron Mabey.

People are encouraged to help with marshalling the stallholders or directing traffic at the 2015 carnival at Buffalo Beach Reserve on January 8.

Co-organiser Sharyn Morcom says while they're particularly looking for blokes to help with heavy lifting of machinery, anyone is encouraged to help out on the day.

'It's not just about fundraising – part of the whole idea behind this event is to create an annual regular fundraiser and community project for our school community. It's a way of coming together as one.

'We really hope that they all feel they own this event and they can get behind it and show their children that they're behind their education and that they're supporting the school.”

The aim of the event is to raise funds for the Whitianga school which was last year able to build a new climbing wall for its pupils.

Sharyn says this year's funds will go towards upgrading playground equipment for the junior school.

'I'm really excited, but I'm also quite nervous. We really need that support.”

She says this year they're hoping to introduce some new initiatives to try and raise more coffers for the school, including selling compostable and biodegradable cups for people to refill with water.

More than 150 stallholders will include art and crafts, designer clothing, and fresh produce, including plenty of rides and entertainment to fill in the day.

Food stalls will be serving bacon and egg rolls, waffles and coffee as well as muscle fritters, burgers, nachos and sausage sizzles.

Sharyn says breakfast is a big focus of this year's carnival.

'We're really putting an emphasis on breakfast this year. We're inviting people to come for breakfast and stay for lunch.”

People can still register their stall at the event and although the food stalls are popular, Sharyn would love to see more craft or fresh produce stalls at the carnival.

Parking on the grass verge is discouraged due to safety reasons, so carnival-goers are encouraged to park down the closets side streets Jackman Ave and Surf St.

To register a stall, or for more information, visit www.mercurybayseasidecarnival.co.nz