The furs, gloves, scarves, headpieces, jewellery were on and the fine gowns and suits spick and span as more than 200 people enjoyed the Settlers’ Dance.

According to Val Baker of Katikati J Troop Legion of Frontiersmen, which provided event security, last Saturday’s event attracted 178 people through the door plus about 50 volunteers and entertainers.

People up and dancing at the Settlers’ Dance last Saturday. Photo / Merle Cave

Most were dressed in early-time costume as they twirled, shimmied and jived to ‘Katikati’s 1920s man’ Brett Lowe and his 12-piece crew of musicians and sound technicians.

Dancers were on their feet from 7pm to well after 11pm, with music from 1875 – when the Ulster Irish arrived in Katikati – through each decade to the 1950s.

Katikati Theatre’s Julie Thomas, as Grace Fletcher Di Logan, as Adela Stewart, and Jean Eltringham, as maid Flora, performed a hilarious skit of a rather dubiously-acquired piano – based on Fletcher’s actual piano, which she brought with her from Ireland in 1875 to provide music to the settlement of the day.

Katikati Theatre’s Julie Thomas as Grace Fletcher, Jean Eltringham as maid Flora and Di Logan as Adela Stewart perform a hilarious skit. Photo / Merle Cave

A group of dancers from Scoil Rince Ni Ghabhann – an Irish Dance school based in Tauranga – presented high energy performances, and there was even a black-and-white silent film, which Brett Lowe and wife Sally Lowe brought to life with sound effect instruments.

A group of dancers from Scoil Rince Ni Ghabhann – an Irish Dance school based in Tauranga – gave high energy performances. Photo / Merle Cave

Emcee John Kean announced prizes, which were awarded to Katikati’s Mike and Chris Johnson for best-dressed couple, Carol Clothier for best-dressed lady, Katikati 15-year-old Tristan Warnock for best-dressed gentleman; and sisters Isla Cave, 10, and Eden Cave, 8, for best-dressed children. Lastly, head organisers Terelle Carroll and Di Logan, of the Katikati 150th Anniversary Committee, were thanked for their many hours creating such a memorable evening. There’s rumours a similar event could be held again in the near future.