Festival tipped to draw huge crowd

PLAY ON: Getting Dave Dobbyn to perform at Christmas in the Park was a major result for organisers. PHOTO/FILE

Organisers of Christmas in the Park are expecting bumper crowds today on the back of a sizzling weather forecast and top headline acts including Dave Dobbyn and Tiki Taane.

Rachelle Duffy from Little Big Events, which was responsible for the iconic community concert that was in its fifth year, said it had gone from strength to strength despite only attracting about 6000 people last year because of rain.

"Unfortunately it poured down so crowd numbers were down."

Organisers weather-watched for a month prior, she said and with temperatures expected to reach 25C this Saturday according to the Met Service, they hoped to eclipse the crowd of 12,000 that attended in 2013.

This year, "the weather is looking fantastic and really does play a big part in outdoor events".

Persuading Dave Dobbyn to be the main act was a coup, however. The philosophy behind the event appealed to his management team, she said.

"It's going to be awesome and we are really looking forward to him coming. Luckily we are fortunate enough to be affiliated with Tiki Taane and he has offered his support from the start which has made a huge difference."

"But who wouldn't want to perform in the beautiful Bay of Plenty? Our environment is stunning."

Ms Duffy said she would also like to credit her crew of 15 volunteers that "deserved a gold star" for dedicating their time and skills.

"I really do have to take my hat off to my team. It's really a full-time job for us to put this on with no funding."

But spreading cheer was important she said and the event enabled people and families from all walks of life to enjoy a great day out.

"Christmas in the Park is all about coming together as a community. We understand some people can struggle at this time of year but this is something everyone can afford to attend."

Entry was by a gold coin donation and concert-goers were asked to get into the Christmas spirit and donate non-perishable food and gifts, which would be given to the Tauranga Community Foodbank, Good Neighbour, Homes of Hope, Tauranga Moana Night Shelter, Shakti and Tauranga Women's Refuge.

Other entertainers to take the stage would be Julia Deans, Beau Monga, Jayson Norris, Georgia Lines and The Modern Maori Quartet plus a number of local dance groups.

A dedicated Kids' Zone carnival area had also been created, where the Night Owl Cinema would be playing Frozen while performers and artists from the Incubator would be on a mini-stage for the kids.

Meanwhile, 50 pop-up stores from The Little Big Markets, free gift-wrapping and food trucks from Food Truck Friday and Dinner in the Domain had food and beverages for sale.