Otepopo School may be closed, but there has been strong interest in attending celebrations to mark its 150 years, 113 people registering by the deadline.
Co-organiser Jan Kennedy was thrilled with the response, which also included 78 attending the anniversary dinner at the Mill House.
''As the school closed a few years ago, we are treating this day as a fun, social occasion for the wider community,'' she said.
Although the school closed in 2010 with just four enrolled pupils, there was still enthusiasm for the anniversary. It has been set down for March 15, at Camp Iona near Herbert, because the school will not be available.
One of the invited speakers is political columnist and commentator Chris Trotter, who grew up on his father Tony's farm nearby and was a pupil from 1961 to 1965.
The speech by Mr Trotter will be followed by the roll call, photos and cutting of the Otepopo 150 commemorative cake. In the evening is the anniversary dinner. Mr Trotter remembered the centennial celebrations in 1964, when he was a pupil at the school.
''I'm looking forward to returning to my childhood haunts, and recalling the richness and texture of an earlier, less complicated New Zealand,'' he said.
