After a week of stormy skies, the sun made a timely appearance on Saturday — just in time for the very first Silverdale Pioneer Festival.

Held in the heart of Silverdale Village and Pioneer Village, the event drew a cheerful crowd of more than 4,000 people and delivered a lively mix of history, music, food, and local connection.

Proudly sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson and hosted by the Silverdale Business Association, the festival brought new energy to a much-loved part of the Coast.

Families gathered, kids played, and neighbours reconnected among a colourful spread of vintage vehicles, live music, and market stalls.

With over 60 local stallholders offering everything from handcrafted skincare to award-winning chocolate, there was plenty to explore.

Popular vendors included Grown Up Donuts, Mosarizu, and the classic Mitre 10 sausage sizzle — all helping to keep bellies full and smiles wide throughout the day.

Community pride was at the heart of the festival.

One of the many highlights was a community raffle, packed with prizes generously donated by local businesses and sponsors.

The support of local businesses was on full display, with fun and thoughtful activations across the venue.

Auckland Adventure Park ran a popular “Guess the Number” game and gave away free luge ride vouchers.

Director Rohini said, “It was such a great day — awesome vibe, fantastic turnout, and everything was so well organized. It’s always great connecting with the local community and fellow businesses in such a vibrant and positive setting. Looking forward to the next one already!”

Westpac, one of the day’s major sponsors, handed out giveaways and promoted its First Home Buyer’s seminar at the Silverdale branch. ENH Windows,

Hibiscus Funeral Services, Silverdale Mall, and the Hibiscus Coast App were also among the key supporters who helped bring the day to life.

Local feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

“We felt so welcome — it’s the best community event we’ve been to in ages,” said one stallholder.

Another festivalgoer added, “Our kids had an absolute blast! We can’t wait for the next one.”

The Silverdale Business Association, who led the event, said the goal was to honour local heritage while celebrating today’s makers, creatives, and service providers.

Festival photos and highlights are available on the Silverdale Pioneer Festival website and Facebook page.

With such strong community spirit on show, the team is already looking ahead to 2026 — and they’re keen to hear your feedback and ideas.

Scroll down to see a selection of festival photos below.

A special thank you to Vanessa Li from Silverdale Business for her help in bringing this story and images together.

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