Downtown Festival a hit

Crowds relaxing under the shade at Destination Napier's Downtown Festival yesterday. Photo/Paul Taylor

Napier's second annual Downtown Festival was a hit despite yesterday's scorching weather.

Destination Napier's event, created to encourage people to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours of the city, was held on Hastings St with musicians, static displays and buskers.

Destination Napier member Paul Trass said about 8000 people attended the festival and everyone seemed to enjoy it despite the "intense" sun.

"It was a wonderful day out.

"The atmosphere has been fantastic, the music has been great.

"I think the talent of our local musicians is unbelievable."

While all bands and performers were great some stood out including Corban Bros, a Blues band.

"I'd never heard them before and never seen them before, they were wonderful."

The event was created as a way of promoting Napier as a tourism destination like Queenstown, Rotorua or Taupo.

A special stage was set up on Hastings St near St John's Cathedral with entertainers playing their music until 6pm.

Music ranged from Choral to Celtic, Blues to soul and Folk to Rock.

The festival was formally opened by Napier mayor Bill Dalton and Patron of Destination Napier, MP Stuart Nash.

Entertainment included St John's Cathedral Choir, Eilidh Rose, Neil Marriot, Naked Gun and Bus Crash.

Art galleries, restaurants and cafes were all open.

Hastings St, between Browning St and Tennyson St, was closed throughout the day.