People in downtown Tauranga were entertained by colourful street performers as part of the Tauranga Arts Festival. Photo / Joel Ford
People in downtown Tauranga were entertained by colourful street performers as part of the Tauranga Arts Festival. Photo / Joel Ford
Tauranga turned yellow as residents and visitors took part in the Tauranga Arts Festival celebrations.
Today marks the halfway point of the 10-day festival and organisers say the event has been a massive success so far.
Saturday saw one of the biggest of the festival's events, the Big Yellow CommunityDay. Festival spokeswoman Claire Mabey said the day kicked off Labour Weekend successfully.
Crowds gathered on The Strand, in Red Square, in Tauranga Art Gallery and in and around Baycourt for a variety of free activities.
Ms Mabey said more than 7000 people enjoyed the The Little Big Markets, performances by Tauranga Samba, Massive Company, Free Lunch Street Theatre, Kim Potter, Tauranga Girls' College, Mauao Performing Arts Centre Community Choir, Bay of Plenty Symphonia and more.
"The day had the most amazing atmosphere," she said.
"Everyone was smiling and enjoying the performances, The Little Big Markets and the chance to simply wander around the pedestrian-only spaces and be entertained by whatever was happening at the time - from those amazing zombie brides, to playing a game of four square with the guys from The Brave."
Ms Mabey said The Big Yellow Art Bus was also a success with more than 60 people on the art bus.
