Feilding at its finest
Feilding turned on its finest weather as the town celebrated its annual Long Lunch for the 144th anniversary of the town’s settlement.
More than 1200 people took seats at the tables in Kowhai Park on Saturday over three hours as they made the most of the variety of food trucks available.
Feilding Settler’s Day celebrates when Hector Booth took the first families to Manchester Block, a thin strip of real estate running between the Rangitı¯kei River and the ranges in 1874.
The town they created formed Feilding.
Feilding and District Promotion project co-ordinator Raewyn Loader said the day went off without a hitch, aside from the cloudy conditions early in the morning.
‘‘Once we set up, the sun came out. It was perfect weather,’’ she said.
It ended up being a hot afternoon, but for those sitting near the fountain, there was a cooling spray each time the wind blew.
While the lunch was the centrepiece of the day, there were dress-up competitions, vintage cars and displays from the Feilding and District Historical Society.
Loader said they also had a range of activities available for children, including origami boats, checkers and hula hoops.
‘‘It was just about relaxing and having a few activities so the parents did not have to have their kids at their feet.’’.
She said Kowhai Park proved the perfect venue. ‘‘We did not realise what an asset we have in that park. The historic park is really versatile with the trees. It is a stunning park.’’
Loader hoped to build on its success.
‘‘We think next year we are going to grow it even bigger with more food trucks, activities and people.’’