JOLLY: Yachts in the Town Basin marina are decked with festive lighting, complementing the Christmas tree that has proven a popular addition to the scene this year. PHOTO/JOHN STONE
JOLLY: Yachts in the Town Basin marina are decked with festive lighting, complementing the Christmas tree that has proven a popular addition to the scene this year. PHOTO/JOHN STONE
In many places at this time of year they deck the halls with boughs of holly, but in Whangarei they string the decks with ropes of lighting.
Several yachts in the Town Basin Marina are decked out with Christmas lights, with the best to be chosen on Monday by WhangareiMayor Sheryl Mai and other town representatives.
Northland Inc tourism boss Paul Davis said boaties had been decorating their vessels in the marina on Christmases past, but this year's effort was more formalised with civic and marina management backing, and hopefully attracting more public interest.
"It's a way we can welcome our international yachties to Whangarei and help them feel part of the community at this time of year," Mr Davis said.
"It's also a way of getting them to help us help make the Town Basin more festive. It does inject more atmosphere into the place." Lighting up the yachts was an annual tradition, and creating a specially decorated precinct "is a concept that will take time to build".
"We've got a fantastic facility here so its another way of highlighting that." A prize for the best display was an incentive to get more of the boat people and local businesses involved, Mr Davis said.
Meanwhile, a Christmas tree, organised by Whangarei District Council events manager John Lynch, adds a festive splash at the Town Basin.
