School all fired up for family fun

Lights Over Marlborough is set to return with a bang next week with fireworks, live music and plenty of chocolate on offer.

After a year’s absence due to Covid, the organisers of the fundraising event said they hoped to pick up where they left off when it was last held in 2020.

First staged 38 years ago, the annual display raises funds for Blenheim’s Whitney Street School.

Principal Cheryl Wadworth said it was a relief to be able to put on the show again.

‘‘We’re really excited to have it again this year.

‘‘The last time we had it in 2020 was the best one ever because the weather was amazing, and around 5000 people came along,’’ she said.

Wadworth said there would be something for all ages.

‘‘It’s going to be like a festival picnic atmosphere where we’ve got lots of food trucks, and if families want to bring their own picnics, rugs, deckchairs and things and get a good spot to watch the fireworks, they are more than welcome.’’

The entertainment would be provided by professional and amateur singers and bands.

’’We’ve got our school kapa haka group, we’ve got three really talented bands from Marlborough Boys’ College, and we’ve got Eliza Brown and her mum Sarah Brown.

‘‘Sarah’s a professional singer and Eliza’s following closely in her footsteps. And then we’ve got Emile, who is also a professional singer and is also one of our dads, and he’s one to get everyone in a party mood before the fireworks.’’

The fireworks display will be choreographed by Blenheim pyrotechnician Michelle Harris.

‘‘The fireworks are set to music, and they’re very clever, and our pyrotechnicians have spent a lot of time putting the displays together, and we try to make them a bit different every year,’’ Wadworth said.

There would also be plenty to keep the children occupied with a Kids’ Zone, bouncy castles, tractor rides and a rock climbing wall for the adventurous.

Wadworth said as well as food and entertainment, punters could also try their luck at a silent auction, a mystery bottle stall – with prizes ranging from shampoo to fruit juice to bottles filled with sweets – and the tempting chocolate wheel.

The silent auction included weekends away with accommodation, dinners, and cases of wine.

Lights Over Marlborough will be held on Saturday, November 12, at the A&P Showgrounds, Blenheim.

Tickets will be sold at the gate and prices remain unchanged: $8 for adults; $35 for a family pass of up to two adults and three children; children under five go free.

The postponement date in case of bad weather is Sunday, November 13.

ANTHONY PHELPS/STUFF Whitney Street School principal Cheryl Wadworth said this year’s Lights Over Marlborough fundraising event was hoping to raise enough money to build a sealed bike and scooter track around the perimeter of the school for children like Roohi Patel, 9, left, Grace Pottinger, 9, and Raffy Barton-Vivian, 11.