Christmas in the Valley a real local hit
It hadn’t been on for four years, but more than 2000 people turned up for Raumanga’s Christmas in the Valley event on Saturday evening. Briarley Birch, one of the organisers from Te Ora Hou, said staff at multi-agency base The Pulse were amazed at the turnout, but it showed there were some loyal followers who remembered the event from previous years. “It was a real community event for Raumanga and Whangarei. With it being so well organised, in the past, it was easy to pick up the mantle to make this work,” Mrs Birch said. She said the event would be back. The crowd was thrilled at the calibre of performers the free event had attracted, which included Troy Kingi, Take 2, jazz musician Robbie Mulligan, Empire Dance Studio performers and even a band comprising Northland DHB staff members. Christmas in the Valley started small in 2004 and in its heyday attracted about 3000 visitors. Northern Advocate photographer John Stone went along to capture the action too.
Image 1 of 7: Huanui College's Take Two Band singers, from left, Shana Gordon, Harriet Baxter and Merlia De Ridder performing at Christmas in the Valley. Photo / John Stone
