Endless Summer brings boom

HANDS UP: A Blues supporter at the Super 15 Rugby pre-season rugby game at Toll Stadium that more than 5000 people attended. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

Crowds keep coming, even after rain interrupts magnificent weather

Whangarei's Endless Summer Festival is proving a boom for the region with festival events attracting more people than anticipated and getting them to stay longer.

Dark skies and rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of Whangarei rugby fans, who flocked in the thousands to see the Blues take on the Chiefs.

More than 5000 people made it through the gates of the Super 15 Rugby pre-season rugby game at Toll Stadium on Thursday night - 1000 more than anticipated, something that is fast becoming the trend for events in this year's Endless Summer Festival.

Venues and Events Whangarei marketing manager Rachel O'Gorman said so far the events in the festival had been much busier than in previous years, which she attributed in part to the stellar weather enjoyed by Northland in the first few weeks in January.

But even rainy weather during the last few days had not stopped people attending some of the 109 events in the festival, which goes from January to April.

The number of people who attended the Blues v Chiefs game had greatly exceeded Venues and Events Whangarei's expectations, she said. "The atmosphere was really good and both teams really enjoyed themselves. It all ran really smoothly and the rain didn't seem to deter people."

Another recent highlight of the festival was the Wanderers SC v Wellington Phoenix game for the ASB Premiership on Sunday at Toll Stadium, she said. "There were 1000 people in the crowd - that was really awesome. It was a good preview of what's to come with Fifa."

Toll Stadium will host three group matches of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup from the end of May.

Other well-attended events from the festival included the Interislander Summer Festival Ruakaka Races on January 6, the waterslide at the Town Basin from January 7 to 21, the Ocean Beach Boardriders Club's sixth annual summer session on January 10, and The Paddleboard Shop Bridge to Basin Series, held every Tuesday, Mrs O'Gorman said.

Upcoming events of note included the Black Sticks Women vs Canada games at the Whangarei ITM Hockey Centre from February 5, Whangarei Speedway's Waitangi two-day events with CTRA championships from February 6, the Waitangi Hangi Fiesta on February 6, the Air Vanuatu Nautigals Fishing Tournament from February 6 and the Clements Farms Trail Ride on February 8.

"There are heaps of things to do and it is a really good mix of events - art exhibitions, sports - and Whangarei is really into recreational activities and getting out there - so those kind of events as well."

A major event in the Endless Summer Festival is the Whangarei Fritter Festival on March 28, headlined by Dave Dobbyn.

-Venues and Events Whangarei was again hosting a competition in which people who attended the most events receive a double pass to the Fritter Festival, with five double passes up for grabs. Visit www.venuesandevents whangarei.co.nz