A big fun park with lots of rides and slides meant there was no risk of them getting bored, along with plenty of healthy food on sale to keep energy levels up.
"There are heaps of things for the kids to do - it's a great atmosphere," he said as a steady stream of people began filling the areas in front of the two stages.
Mum and dad Tidman had the added advantage of knowing some of the musicians playing in the big lineup of acts - people were coming over to say hello.
"It is this whole family vibe that we are enjoying," he said.
Ms Tidman particularly liked that there was no alcohol.
"You don't have to worry about your kids bumping into the wrong crowd. The organisers have got the formula right, we need more of this."
There was plenty to entertain the older kids as well, with hundreds of teens going home with feather hair extensions, air-brushed tattoos or faces painted.
A popular attraction for the more adventurous was the Get Bucked bull-ride machine.
Mount teen Sarah MacDougall, 17, said not much stuff happened in Tauranga and Summerfest should be held more often.
"You go to the beach or go to the movies, but how many times can you do that," she said.
Erani Teaupaku, 15, of Otumoetai College, said the appearance of Australian Idol and former Tauranga boy Stan Walker sealed it for her. It was the first time she would have seen him live, and the $10 ticket price for a whole day's entertainment, including Midnight Youth, was really good value.
"It's cool - we have finally got stuff to do in Tauranga," she said.
