Lakeside concert in Rotorua to pay tribute to residents who have died

The Lakeside concert this year will remember loved ones who have died.

Lakeside 2018 - Whenua #itsabouthome will feature entertainment, high impact visuals and spectacular fireworks.

Lakeside artistic director Richard Anaru said given this year's Lakeside was about locals, it was only fitting to acknowledge those who had gone before.

A segment of the show will feature a slideshow showing the names, faces and dates of locals who had died.

Among the slideshow would be well-known people, but it was also about acknowledging those close to any family in Rotorua.

"This show is about us and it's about home so if there's anyone you would like to remember, we encourage you to send a photo to us.

"I want people to feel like they have played a part in the show, which is the idea behind this," Anaru said.

Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust chairman Ian Edward said the focus of the concert was on Rotorua's own people for the first time.

"It's about our people past and present, so here's an opportunity in the context of a song to reflect on our departed loved ones."

He said through music people could spend time reflecting on their inner emotions.

"We've lost a number of high profile celebrities in these past 12 months.

"We wish to honour these people that have made outstanding contributions to the community, but so are our loved ones dear to us and it's a time to also reflect on them."

Edward said the remembrance slideshow would be accompanied by the song Welcome Home, which would be performed by Maimoa and the Lakeside Band.

Anyone who would like to include a photo of their loved one in the slideshow can email a photo with the name of their loved one and the year they died to rotorualakesideconcert@gmail.com.

All images need to be sent in by Friday, February 2 to ensure they can be included.

Lakeside 2018 - Whenua #itsabouthome is at the Village Green in Rotorua on Saturday February 17.