History of the Fairs
The Martinborough Fairs were the brainchild of members of the Greytown Rotary Club, and in 1977 the first fairs were staged in Martinborough with just 35 stalls. In order to attract stallholders the fairs were promoted in the Manawatu and Wellington. Today such is the reputation of the fairs that demand for stalls exceeds the space available, and more than 25000 people flock to Martinborough from Wellington and the Wairarapa, and busloads arrive from New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North and Hawkes Bay.
The basic philosophy behind the Fairs has changed little since 1977. The objects are to give craftspeople a chance to display and sell their wares; give Wairarapa charities a chance to raise funds from a wider range of customers that they usually have; to provide the Rotary Club of South Wairarapa with funds to give to charities, especially those in South Wairarapa, and with special emphasis on the provision of opportunities for young people. The Martinborough Fairs provide a focus to publicise Martinborough, the South Wairarapa, and the Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of South Wairarapa through its Martinborough Fair Trust holds the management and ownership of the Martinborough Fair. The club contracts numerous community groups to assist on fair days to handle parking, and other operational matters.
