THE sky over Mount Maunganui Main Beach turned red and blue on Saturday night as more than 100 people gathered to release coloured balloons in a twilight event to support the family of missing 5-year-old Jack Dixon.
Battling cold winds, the group, which included Jack's family and friends, formed a horseshoe around candles and counted down from 10 in a chorus.
As people let go of their balloons there were cheers, some singing and clapping. Then silence as the crowd watched the balloons float off over the Norfolk Pines lining Mount Maunganui's Marine Parade, up over the Twin Towers, and slowly disappear into the evening sky as it neared sunset.
The vigil's organiser, 27-year-old Rory Coghlan, accompanied by his 2-year-old son Saig, said the purpose was to show the family the community was still behind them.
"We're still thinking of them - of Jack. We haven't forgotten him, and we are all here supporting the family ... We are still thinking of him and we are still waiting for him to come home."