A bright day at Brighton
LASER tag and bumper boats were available for people who wanted some activity while others contented themselves with icecream or offerings of food on a bright day at Brighton.
The sun shone on the 25th Anniversary Brighton Gala Day, and thousands of people had the chance to buy or take part in what was available at about 180 stalls or rides at Brighton Domain, just south of Dunedin.
The nearby beach was also busy and senior lifeguards were there to prevent any problems.
Car parks were at a premium in the township.
Mika Andreae (10), of Dunedin, devoured candy floss in the domain and said he enjoyed a magic show.
‘‘I got a free Monopoly game,’’ he said.
Dunedinites Bradford Standring, Mueed Hasan and Sam Doorey, and Samantha Smith of Wanaka, joined the queue for a helicopter ride.
It was the first time Miss Smith had been in a helicopter. She sat in the front and could see through the glass floor.
Mr Standring said they got a good view of Dunedin and the Blackhead Quarries.
Saddle Hill Community
Board chairman and one of the organisers Scott Weatherall said attendance numbers were steady throughout the day, and included many families.
He estimated the attendance at 11,00012,000 people.
Entry was free, although people could make donations at the gate to the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club.
Hayley Burnett attended with her husband, daughter and dog, a chihuahuaJack Russell cross.
The family had hoped to time their arrival for a quieter period, but Mrs Burnett felt people prolonged their stay because of the weather.
‘‘With a day like this, why would you go home?’’
Bernadette Hannagan, of Mosgiel, was selling locally produced sauces, jams, chutneys and marmalades.
She was pleased with the volume of trade.
‘‘We’ll go home happy.’’