Family fun for all at Party in the Park

SEVERAL thousand people flocked to yesterday’s Party in the Park at the Mosgiel Memorial Gardens, enjoying the sun.

Festival of the Plain chairman Ian Chalmers said the popular annual event, running since 2006, offered free family entertainment, including use of the park’s upgraded playground.

‘‘There’s something for everyone.

‘‘It’s a familyfriendly show,’’ Mr Chalmers said.

For people who felt like shopping for a wide range of items, including food and decorative stones, more than 50 stalls were available.

Many key community organisations, including Neighbourhood Support, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board, also attended to raise awareness and explain their roles.

Mr Chalmers said the successful switch back to the gardens park venue from

Peter Johnstone Park was continuing in its second year.

Stall numbers were up on last year and more use had been made of nearby trees to provide shade for them.

Mosgiel couple Julieann Harris and Mike Smith enjoyed the food, including a hot dog, and also bought two garden ornaments.

The event was ‘‘pretty good’’, a happy day which had also enabled them to catch up with friends, they said.

Otago Neighbourhood Support regional coordinator Joy Davis, who also chairs the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board, said Party in the

Park was a ‘‘fantastic’’ and readily accessible community event.

PHOTOS: LINDA ROBERTSON Balloon action . . . Alex Gould (4, above), of Green Island, holds on tight to his balloon animal. Enjoying the Mosgiel Party in the Park yesterday are (left) Shauney Macaskill and her daughter Georgie Casey (4).