Bounce-ing into chilled New Year
Despite the rain, a group of revellers have seen in the New Year in style - on the day itself rather than the night before.
Daytime party Bounce - NYD kicked off on Monday afternoon at the Pukekura Raceway in New Plymouth with an eclectic mix of DJs, acoustic vocalists and dance groups.
Consistent rain meant the event was moved indoors but without any loss of effect, organiser Kristy Lamb said.
‘‘I couldn’t be happier with the vibe of the event,’’ she said.
‘‘We had done most of our set up yesterday so we had to scramble.
‘‘I think it’s better than everyone getting rained on and cold.’’
About 60 people had trickled into the event in the first hour and were enjoying the beats of Auckland-based DJ Salina-Pearl while they had drinks and nibbles. Hundreds of tickets had been presold, Lamb said.
She said she felt like the popularity of her other event, Purple Paddocks, at Easter, meant people were happy to buy tickets to the New Year’s Day festival.
A lot of times December 31 was not a holiday, and she wanted a laid-back day, she said.
‘‘It’s a celebration of the first day of the New Year, it’s summertime; it’s got that kind of vibe about it,’’ she said.
Opunake sisters Phillipa Hamilton-Davis, Sonya Moeahu, Nicola Elsaka, and Karla Tito were enjoying the event.
‘‘We spent New Year’s Eve celebrating with our little children and our families,’’ Tito said.
She liked the idea of a New Year’s Day event rather than a New Year’s Eve one, which gave them a chance to go out and celebrate, she said.
‘‘I think you’re so tired after Christmas and everything and there’s such a hype about New Year’s Eve, and you can’t always get babysitters.’’