DELIGHTED: Maketu Kaimoana Festival co-ordinator Charles Peni says he's "absolutely delighted" with the turnout to this year's event, despite a last minute change of venue.PHOTOS/ANDREW WARNER
DELIGHTED: Maketu Kaimoana Festival co-ordinator Charles Peni says he's "absolutely delighted" with the turnout to this year's event, despite a last minute change of venue.PHOTOS/ANDREW WARNER
An eleventh-hour change of location for the Bay's biggest seafood event did not put off the crowds.
The Maketu Kaimoana Festival is the township's flagship fundraising event and is believed to have raised more than $20,000 for community causes.
Maketu Rotary Club's Charles Peni, who helped co-ordinate the event, saidit was still too early to know exact numbers but the 1000-odd people who attended the event at Te Puke Showgrounds on Saturday helped make it the biggest festival in its eight-year history.
The festival showcased about 30 vendors, the most in its history, and a dozen live acts. By early evening, some vendors had sold out.
"It's actually gaining momentum every year," Mr Peni said.
"We used to do it by word-of-mouth, posters and the odd clipping in the paper but this year we changed direction a little bit. Our main catchment used to be Eastern Bay of Plenty. We decided to take a punt this year and went into radio advertising as well in and around the Western Bay of Plenty, with great results.
"We've always kept it low-key but took a punt to see what percentage we could get from Tauranga."
People streamed through the gates with picnic blankets, gazebos and chairs. Others took advantage of helicopter rides on offer by Aerius Helicopters.
Mr Peni gave "tremendous credit" to everyone who helped with the late venue change. He said he was not aware of any complaints or anyone arriving at the original Maketu Sportsgrounds, next door to Whakaue Marae where a tangi was being held.
Organisers were told to move the event to another location due to a tangi held on the neighbouring marae. After a desperate ring-a-round, the festival was moved to avoid any potential clashes with people attending the funeral.
The Maketu Kaimoana Festival held at the Te Puke A and P Showgrounds. Aerial View from the Aerius Helicopter. Photo/Andrew Warner
"I must give credit to the quick-thinking people of our Rotary club ... knowing certain people and got in contact with them. That was how we had a relocation so quick," Mr Peni said.
The new venue also meant people involved in the festival were not affected by a power outage the night before, with a Maketu crash knocking electricity out to the town from 7pm on Friday to 4am Saturday morning. "By that time we had relocated and sort of already had got under way," Mr Peni said.
"We are very thankful."
Money raised from the event will be given back to the community.
Mr Peni said the club will get together and put a call out for public suggestions, asking the community where they would like to see the money go.
Previous festivals have helped supply dictionaries and computers to a school and helped fund the local surf club.
