The Kimbolton Rural Sculpture Festival is a sculpture and rural arts festival held on the village domain at 2860 Kimbolton Road, Kimbolton, in the northern Manawatū. The festival runs under a charitable trust that works with local community groups, schools and businesses. It shows sculptures made in rural workshops and studios, and awards more than $14,600 in prizes, with a People's Choice Award. Sculpture auctions, fine arts, music, car parades and band parades are part of the day. Over 150 craft stalls and several food trucks are on site. Children's activities are free, with tutors on hand to help them make a mini sculpture, and include a hay jump, a mystery wool dig, a 14,000-litre sculpture pool, target shooting, an obstacle course and pony rides. Blacksmiths, woodworkers and artists give demonstrations, and there is an interactive art area.
The festival is described as a family day out, where people can see sculptures, buy craft, and enjoy the country food and community spirit. It is a rural event, with big mobile homes and family campers expected to make a weekend of it. Our pick in Kimbolton for a family day out with sculpture, craft and a ute to fill.