Winter festival mixes rugby and song

A chorus of British and Irish Lions rugby tour followers will inject a taste of culture into Palmerston North’s winter festival at the end of June.

The Lions Choir, a touring group of predominantly Welsh male singers, will perform at the Convention Centre on June 30.

Palmy unleashed co-ordinator Sam Kershaw said while a concert at the Regent on Broadway would have been great, that venue was already booked.

The Convention Centre would be ideal, midway between the New Zealand Rugby Museum, which was expecting more than 2000 visitors during the festival, and George St, which was planned to be closed to traffic for entertainment and a market.

The winter festival has been planned to coincide with a gap between rugby matches in Wellington, when touring fans were expected to be looking for days out or overnight trips.

The choir, of more than 50, was already booked in to stay in the city for several days.

‘‘They are interested in getting involved in the communities they visit and are not doing it for profit. That will keep the concert affordable and we anticipate we won’t have trouble selling out.’’

City council CBD and retail portfolio holder Leonie Hapeta said the choir concert was an exciting addition to the festival programme.

‘‘They are really keen to be part of the winter festival and to contribute. Everyone will know most of their songs. That’s what we have been aiming for, to have variety, and something that will appeal to all age groups from 80 to eight.’’

Other features of the festival include a showcase rugby match between the New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force and a giant scrum record attempt.

The George St Festival, subject to approval to close the street, will run over two days.