Festival idea planted by friend

AUTUMN DELIGHT: Lyn Pearson is hoping to hold a feijoa festival in Wanganui next month. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY 130415WCBRCFRI01

A feijoa festival is being planned for Wanganui - and the organiser doesn't even like the popular autumn fruit.

Lyn Pearson is hoping to hold the one-day festival in early May, before the feijoa season finishes.

The festival would be held at the education room at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre in Maria Pl, and would include feijoa-themed book and poetry readings, making feijoa artworks, planting feijoa trees, feijoa tasting and cooking with feijoas.

"I've already been given a recipe for feijoa chutney and a feijoa smoothie," Mrs Pearson said.

However, she is adamant someone else will have to organise the cooking as she can't stand the taste or smell of feijoas.

"But I do like the trees and the flowers - we have three trees growing in our garden."

The festival idea came from a friend of Mrs Pearson's and she thought it sounded like fun.

Feijoas are synonymous with autumn in New Zealand, but they are actually native to South America, and were named after a Brazilian botanist, Joao da Silva Feijo.

Feijoas are suited to New Zealand as they are hardy, easy to grow, and tolerant of both coastal and cold conditions and the fruit is high in fibre and vitamin C.

- If you have ideas for the festival, or you would like to offer help, contact Lyn Pearson on 06 344 1012.