Summer festival cheers Waipu

 

Organisers say the new year’s day Waipu Community Festival – which replaced the Covid-cancelled Waipu Highland Games – was a big success.

"This event was an opportunity for the local community to use the first day of a New Year (following a very crappy previous Covid-fueled old year) to come out and care for, look after and entertain itself," said event organiser Ron Davidson.

"Any profit made is being returned back into local charitable groups." The final tally hasn't been done, he says, but it looks like the event raised over $10,000 with huge numbers of people attending. Visitors to Waipu’s Caledonian Park enjoyed numerous stalls to visit, two stages of dance and music for entertainment along with lots of fun and games for all ages.

In future organisers aim to make the festival an annual event held later in the summer season with a greater involvement of community groups. PHOTO/PETER GRANT