Date:March 1st, 2012

The third annual Flaxmere Family festival will bring all the community together in a carnival atmosphere, with free, non-stop entertainment, a large number of food stalls and plenty of action for the kids.

The Flaxmere Planning Committee is again organizing the event and Chair Kayren Hatherell says, “Flaxmere is such a diverse community. The festival is a great opportunity for everyone to come together in one place, to celebrate whanau.”

The event will be MC’d by Te Hamua Nikora from the Maori television talent show Homai Te Pakipaki, and Hastings District Councillor Henare O’Keefe. They will be joined on stage by a fantastic lineup of local artists with the feature group being Mahia Blackmore and the Paradise Band.

Along with an amazing array of food, there will be craft and information stalls and free entertainment for the kids.

Kayren Hatherell says “The festival was created following the development of the Flaxmere Community Plan which identified a need for family events and a way to showcase local talent. The festival is now into its third year and the lineup of local talent just keeps getting better. There are many performers in our community who just need the right outlet for their talent and the festival could be the start of a bright, new career for some of these budding artists.”

The family festival will be officially opened by Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule at 10am on Saturday March 10th at Flaxmere College. Off street parking is available via Chatham Road.

The festival is proudly supported by the Flaxmere Licensing Trust, Lowe Corporation, the Lotteries Commission, Eastern and Central Community Trust, The Radio Network, Te Puni Kokiri and Hastings District Council.

The talent lineup for the Flaxmere Family Festival includes:
Maori Culture Group – Flaxmere College
Pasifika Group – Flaxmere College
Araura Culture Group - Aitutaki Island
Araura Boys – Contemporary Cook Island Music (ex HBHS out of Flaxmere)
HB Samoan Catholic Church Cultural Group
HB Samoan Bay Star Band
Danny Linley-Richardson
Christine Siko (15) Flaxmere College
Mary Taito (15) Flaxmere College
James Burke-Nuku (11) Hastings Intermediate
Cheryl Wichman
Rezpect Dance Group from Flaxmere
Peter & Patutai Kire
Lyrical Download- Reggae Band from Flaxmere
Mahinarangi Lawrence (13 yrs)
Solid Serenity (trio from Flaxmere College & Hukarere College)
Mii Vakapora & Willy McLean
Te Oriwa Matthews (Flaxmere College)

ENDS

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