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Media Release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wellington, 6 Dec 2009

Northern Wellington Festival Celebrates Best Year Ever

Jarrod Coburn – Convenor of the Northern Wellington Festival – reports on the Northern Wellington Festival.

The weather gods were smiling on the Northern Wellington Festival as the Lions Johnsonville and Tawa Christmas Parades wound their respective ways through excited gaggles of children and parents on Saturday.

An estimated 25,000 people lined the streets of Johnsonville to watch the one-hour parade: the keystone of the Northern Wellington Festival. In Tawa a smaller but equally enthusiastic crowd cheered and clapped in weather that was bright, sunny and warm.

Festival Convenor Jarrod Coburn says he’s scratching his head as to why the parade day was dealt the best weather Wellington has had in weeks, but isn’t complaining.

“In a community as closely knit as the Northern Ward rumours and speculation abound of course,” says Jarrod, “I had a couple of farmers from Ohariu tell me it would be a good day because their sheep were all facing north on Friday.”

“A Tawa resident said he had asked several Tawa Community Board members to arrange a fine day, while someone from St Brigid’s School in Johnsonville said that by putting the statue of Saint Joseph outside it would prevent rain… apparently he doesn’t like getting wet.”

Whatever the reason for the great weather there can be no doubt that the energy and effort put into Saturday’s events was the true secret of success. The Rotary Club were setting up the Johnsonville Fair from 7AM and the Outdoor Cultural Show next door attracted an audience of hundreds for over two hours of entertainment from line dancing to Bollywood spectaculars.

“On behalf of a very grateful community I want to thank all the of organisations and individuals that put months of time, effort, and energy into a fantastic festival. A big thank you is also owed to Wellington City Council, Pelorus Trust, The Trusts Charitable Foundation, and the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust for supporting the event.”

Some photographs are already available online at www.festival.org.nz and people are welcome to submit their favourite picture to info@festival.org.nz.

ENDS

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