Festival

Synchronicity was flowing for Stephen and me today. We'd decided to attend the Mangonui Waterfront Festival. We arrived at the carpark to find there were only five spots remaining. We felt lucky to get one of these last parks and so did Genevieve and Willow, who pulled up alongside us. As we exited the gates, we were met by the shuttle-van driver who was just ready to leave.  We hadn't intended to take the van as the walk to the festival was downhill but as the van was empty and waiting, we thought, why not. We arrived at the northern entrance and were able to walk straight in as the queues had not yet formed. Another stroke of luck.

After the last two years of being cancelled because of Covid, it was good to see the extremely well-organised festival up and running again. I think people have been hanging out for something such as this as communities return to the normalcy they experienced before the Covid disruptions.

And the weather was perfect. Yesterday's heavy rain was but a distant memory.

There is a kind of formula that people seem to follow at this festival and that is to walk the length of the blocked off area and back again, stopping at various stalls along the way or to listen to music. The harbour on one side and steep hill on the other keep the festival goers reasonably compacted, whilst at the same time, providing a secure enclosure.

There is a line-up of performers throughout the afternoon. Multiply that by three for each of the stages and that equates to a lot of bands and musicians, enough to cater for everyone’s taste.

Seven years ago, I was one off the stallholders, having set up my massage chair in a spot next to the Information Centre. I remember it being incredibly hot, as it was today. The reason I know it was seven years ago, was because Genevieve was there with her new born baby, who must have only been a couple of weeks old. I forgot to remind Willow of that occasion today, but of course she wouldn't remember it.

Another time we attended the festival, it was absolutely teeming with rain. I know from the organisers’ point of view that a fine day helps bring the crowds in, more than a wet one does. I will be interested to hear just how many people came today, but somehow, I think the numbers will be high. As I said, people are ready for something like this. It was certainly packed as Stephen and I made our journey back and forth along the waterfront. 

We only stayed a couple of hours but that was plenty of time for us in that hot sun. It was only a minute's wait on exiting before the shuttle van arrived to take us back to the car. No hold-ups, no hitches, good food, good music and over all a jolly good day. Kudos to everyone involved in its organisation. You have once again provided a lovely event for the community. Well done.