Maritime festival a big hit

There was something for everyone – including singing pirates, salmon filleting demonstrations and a boat building competition – at the Picton Maritime Festival.

The festival is now in its 15th year and for the first time this year ran over two days, drawing a crowd in the thousands.

Day two of the festival, on Saturday, was held against the backdrop of a perfect summer’s day.

The day started with Queen Charlotte College Kapa Haka at 11am and ended with a fireworks display at 10pm.

Kiss the Ground stilt walker Pipi-ayesha Evans spent the day entertaining children in her pirate costume – and trying to not get knocked over.

Evans told children she had lost her legs in an accident at sea, and they were replaced with extra long wooden planks.

Entertainer Rich Manic, whose stage name is Captain Festus Mcboyle, dedicated his group’s second set of the festival to Marlborough man Noz Fletcher. Fletcher was a ‘‘political junkie’’ who fought for the environment for 60 years. The climate change activist died recently aged 88.

Simply the Breast dragon boat member Eileen Eriha said the team was out on the Picton harbour giving demonstrations.

Eriha said the team was more used to the conditions of the Wairau River. ‘‘But once we got going, it was good.’’

‘‘Our South Island competition is in Akaroa. It’s great to actually get out there and practise on a change of scenery,’’ she said.

Picton resident Bill Allan said his son and grandchildren were visiting from Morrinsville.

The Allan family took part in the boat racing competition, and spent the morning constructing and building the boat. ‘‘They [grandchildren] missed out last year, so they made a point of coming down for it this year,’’ Allan said.

Picton Maritime Festival organiser Beryl Bowers described the two days as ‘‘fabulous’’.

‘‘Crowds of people have come, there’s heaps of families, which is what it’s all about,’’ Bowers said.

‘‘We’ve got a committee of about 10 people as well as about 20 others who volunteer. It’s amazing how it all comes together.

‘‘And the weather has really turned out for us too, it’s a beautiful day,’’ she said.