Record return for summer gala

In contrast to last year, the weather gods blessed Mangawhai with the best possible weather for the Annual Summer Gala at the Domain on January 2. 

Crowds were out in full, all stallholders turned up and there was the increased presence of rides and food offerings. 

The usual dog show, helicopter rides and musical entertainment kept many busy and there was good attendance at the family activities. 

The event seemed to achieve its three objectives: a great day for the family, a good return for the commercial operators and fundraising for the community-owned Domain. While the Domain committee is still to finalise its books for the event, but it appears their might be a record profit. We will report on the financial outcome later, and set out what the funds are likely to be used for.

The event would not be a success without the inputs and hard work of many - the Mangawhai business community in supporting the event in various ways, the hard-working volunteers, the commercial operators and finally the many thousands who attend the event as visitors. 

We do not get exact numbers for attendance, but estimate approximately 6500 paying visitors alone, over 7000 in total. To all of you, a great thanks.

The Domain committee has already had quite a lot of feedback, almost all positive but unsurprisingly some giving suggestions to how we can improve the event for next year. We welcome such feedback, preferably written so we can consider it along with all other feedback and suggestions to make Gala 2014 even better than this year.

Yes, the planning for next year is already well underway so this almost 40-year-old event continues to grow and adapt to entertain the Mangawhai and wider community at this wonderful time of the year. 

Email gala feedback to mangawhaigala@gmail.com