Menu
On Friday, 1 May 2026, the grounds of Sunfield Howick came alive as residents, families, supporters, local businesses and community members gathered for our much-anticipated Sunfield Country May Fair.
Despite a rainy start to the morning, the weather soon cleared to reveal beautiful blue skies — setting the scene for a truly memorable day filled with laughter, connection and community spirit.
This year’s fair embraced a warm country theme, bringing together a wonderful variety of local stalls, handcrafted products, homemade treats and locally produced goods. From delicious food and fresh coffee to handmade crafts and unique local finds, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The atmosphere throughout the day was vibrant and welcoming. Visitors spent time exploring the stalls, catching up with friends and family, and enjoying the many activities and entertainment on offer.
One of the highlights of the day was the debut of our Kiddies Zone, which proved to be a huge hit with the younger visitors.
Another standout feature of the day was the Sunfield Shop, which was bustling with happy shoppers from start to finish. The shop has become a much-loved part of the May Fair experience, and it was wonderful to see so many people stopping in to support the work being done at Sunfield.
A very special thank you goes to the FoSH volunteers, whose hard work, enthusiasm and dedication helped make the shop such a success on the day.
The entertainment line-up added even more excitement and energy to the fair. Guests enjoyed performances and activities from:
The horse rides from Silkwood Stables and Stud were especially memorable, bringing huge smiles and excitement to many of our residents and visitors alike. Seeing residents enjoying the experience and interacting with the horses created some truly special moments throughout the day.
For many of our residents, the opportunity to spend time with the horses was one of the highlights of the fair. The joy, confidence and excitement on their faces created beautiful memories that will be treasured long after the day itself.
The much-loved potjie competition brought people together around the fires, adding to the relaxed country atmosphere and creating a wonderful sense of camaraderie throughout the day.
As one of the newer additions to the fair, it added a fun and interactive element to the event, and we are excited to continue growing the competition in the years ahead.
Congrats to Claire Cumming for winning the Sunfield Potjie Kos competition! Special thanks Janis Holmes for being our judge on the day!
Following the event, messages of appreciation and positive feedback poured in from stallholders, visitors and members of the community.
One vendor shared:
“It was by far the best-organized and looking market that I have been to.”
Another attendee described the fair as:
“Exceptionally well attended and truly a most enjoyable and successful day.”
Several stallholders commented on the warm atmosphere and excellent organisation, with one sharing:
“Every year it gets better.” Many commented on the welcoming atmosphere, the organisation of the event, and the strong sense of community spirit felt throughout the day.
Stallholders shared how much they enjoyed being part of the fair, with several describing it as one of the best organised and most enjoyable markets they had attended. Visitors praised the lively atmosphere, entertainment, variety of stalls and the warm hospitality shown by the Sunfield team.
One supporter shared that the event created “a fantastic atmosphere with a wonderful sense of community spirit,” while others described the fair as “beautiful,” “well attended,” and “filled with smiles and laughter.”
Another attendee commented that it was “by far the best organised and looking market” they had attended, while several stallholders shared that “every year it gets better.”
It was especially encouraging to hear how much the local community embraced and supported the event, with many visitors already expressing excitement for next year’s fair.
The feedback received after the fair was a wonderful reminder of the meaningful role the Sunfield Country May Fair continues to play in bringing people together.
Events like the Sunfield Country May Fair are about so much more than just a day out. They provide an opportunity for the wider community to connect with Sunfield, support our residents, and celebrate the incredible spirit of togetherness that makes Howick such a special place.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our stallholders, volunteers, performers, partners and every person who attended and supported the day. Your contribution helped make the fair such a meaningful and successful event.
As we look back on the smiles, conversations and memories shared throughout the day, we are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back again next year.
Save the date — we hope to see you on 1 May 2027 for another memorable Sunfield Country May Fair 🌾
Thank you for being part of the Sunfield family 🌻
Have any questions? Call or email our General Manager, Don Tully.