Nathan Crombie
The Wairarapa Country Music Club has canned their celebration awards this year after more than two decades of annual hoedowns and showdowns in Masterton.
Club president Eddy Tryselaar said yesterday the decision was made about four months ago to shelve the event this year, traditionally held over Labour Weekend, after
a successful 21st awards contest last year.
"We're disappointed we had to make this decision but it's only been called off for this year. We felt the number of entrants had fallen back too far and it would be best to give it a rest until next year."
Mr Tryselaar said the club is "deeply grateful" to sponsors of the annual event over the past several years "who helped make it an absolute success every time".
Downstream businesses in the town including retail, food and service, and accommodation would probably miss the trade the annual event brings into the town, he said, although "we hope to be back next year bigger, better and brighter than before".
Veteran event convener Jill Clarke, who has organised 16 of the 21 awards weekends to date, said a lack of helpers on the ground might have also forced the event into hiatus.
"The travel and petrol costs for artists may have cut back on the numbers entering and times have moved on for some club members, including myself.
"Your children have grandchildren and it can be hard work organising the awards on top of that. I decided I'd worked enough."
She said the Masterton awards weekend, which was affiliated with the New Zealand Country Music Association, gave central North Island performers the opportunity to qualify for the national Entertainer of the Year Awards.
Mrs Clarke said she retired in 2006 as convener but helped last year and would again lend a hand if needed "although I don't know about convening".
"Depending on the situation maybe I'd do it but then maybe not. That's a call I'd have to make next year."
