Braille Week Event To Light Up Auckland Skyline

Expect to be amazed! That's the warning from organisers of the Halloween and family fireworks extravaganza happening at Auckland's Ericsson Stadium this Saturday 30 October from 4.30- 9.30pm as part of Braille Week.

The Kia Motors Halloween & Family Fireworks Display, organised by Howick Lions in association with More FM, will feature entertainment from local cultural groups and bands, a Police Dog demonstration, skydivers and dancers and a fireworks and a laser show that will leave Aucklanders breathless!

This is the second year Howick Lions have organised the event at Ericsson stadium. And as with last year's event, which raised $30,000, all proceeds will go towards a new playground now under construction for blind and multiply disabled children at the Blind Foundation's Homai Vision Education Centre in South Auckland.

"Our laser show is going to be even better than last year," says Tony Waterman of Clearlight Laser Productions, who's promising a spectacular display of choreographed kilometre-long laser beams travelling through white vapour, as well as animated images flashing around the stadium.

Also included in the event is a Halloween costume competition for kindergarten and school children with Nintendo Game Consoles on offer to the winning students, and product to the value of $500 from Rebel Sport or products from Cardale's Stationery City for their respective schools or kindergartens.

Beginning the afternoon's entertainment will be Maori cultural group Nga Ariki Toko Wha, the Nicola Wheeler dancers, Tane Pasifika, marching teams, a local Korean cultural group, and some Auckland skydivers who will be demonstrating their skills as they drop out of the More FM helicopter and down into the stadium.

Following on from the skydivers will be talented blind multi- instrumentalist and singer Ken Smith and his group Eye Spy, the Sky City Cheerleaders, the final of the costume competition, and the upbeat sound of Howick College rock group Treason.

Leading up to the fireworks and laser show will be a special police dog demonstration, a hot performance by drumming and dancing group Pacific Tamure, and the announcement of the winner of the Kia Motors Kia Mentor 1.5RS Sedan. Valued at $16,500, it's a car that everyone is in with a chance to win when they purchase their ticket and head through the Ericsson Stadium gates! (This car and several other specially imported prototypes will be on show at the far end of the stadium).

"We're delighted to be involved in this community event, which is directly assisting the Blind Foundation, and we hope that

Aucklanders will come out in their thousands to enjoy and support it," says Kia Motors Marketing Manger Andrew Lamb, whose company is the major sponsor for this year's event.

"We'd also encourage as many Aucklanders and visitors to Auckland as possible not to miss out on this impressive night, which as well as providing top class entertainment is a very safe way for people

to enjoy fireworks," says Howick Lions President John Miller. Howick Lions have been responsible for holding controlled fireworks displays in the Auckland area for 20 years, and like Lions clubs throughout the country, have strongly supported Braille Week since it officially began 38 years ago.

Lions and other volunteers will play a key role in co-ordinating the 30 October event.

"An event like this is only successful with the assistance of a strong band of volunteers and we're extremely grateful for their support, and to Howick Lions for once again involving the Foundation and making us the recipient of this great night," says Blind Foundation Special Events Manager Tim Kay.

As well as live entertainment and the fireworks and laser show, to keep children entertained there will also be a special Kids Playground set up at the northern end of Ericsson Stadium. It will include Bouncy Castles, Ghost Train, Merry-go-round, Milky Way Train, Ferris Wheel, Burger King Whopper Drop, M&M's Eliminator, Laser Runner and Side Shows.

Tickets to the Kia Motors Halloween and Family Fireworks Display are $8 (adults), $5 (kids), $22 (family) at the gate, or from Ticketek - 0-9-307 5000. (Pre-purchase through Ticketek will entitle the purchaser to a free gift on entry to Ericsson Stadium).

ENDS....

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