A different kind of horsepower graced the Original Gypsy Fair in Dunedin over Easter.
More than 20 house trucks stopped at the Oval for Easter for the fair, which ends today. At the fair, Wheelie Fun co-owner Dave Woods was selling rides on his fleet of Segways - two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicles.
His family brought the new house bus to the fair because their old bus was destroyed by fire in Lincoln about a month ago.
An investigation revealed the fire started at a refurbished iPad charging and resting on the front seat of the bus.
The family decided to buy a fleet of Segways because it was easier than owning ponies.‘‘We used to do pony rides, so we've still got horsepower, just a different kind. We are modern gypsies,'' he laughed.
Segways were easier to transport, feed and clean up after than ponies, he said.
Fair field manager Gavin Mackenzie said the number of trucks in the fair fluctuated.‘‘We are one short this week - a fortune teller, due to unforeseen circumstances.''The fortune teller was blindsided by a bout of the flu, he said.
The vendors sold mostly handmade goods ranging from glass scorpions to tie-dyed shirts.
Mr Mackenzie had been with the fair the longest - nearly 21 years - and runs a shooting gallery.
The fair was as busy as ever in Dunedin and was ‘‘jam-packed'' over the weekend.
Glass Art co-owner Leonie Brunker said she and her husband Geoff Brunker came to the fair in Dunedin 19 years ago.
This year had been a success and they would return, Mrs Brunker said.
"It's been absolutely wonderful."
