Balloons visit grounded
Waipa¯ District Council and Classic Events have both made the difficult decision to cancel Balloons Visit Waipa¯. Following the country’s move to the red traffic light setting, indoor and outdoor events are limited to 100 people and the use of vaccine passes are mandatory.
Waipa¯ District Mayor Jim Mylchreest says they had hoped the event could go ahead on March 18 and are extremely disappointed to make the call to cancel.
“Given the uncertainty at this time, plus the added complications and risks that come with Omicron, we believe it is in the best interest for all involved to cancel,” says Jim.
They had wanted to hit the ground running this year and offer some amazing events for the community but said ultimately the health and safety of staff, volunteers, contractors and community is their priority.
Jim says due to the size and scale of the event, it would not have been not socially responsible to go ahead with the event under the red setting.
“Given that the Omicron variant is now circulating in Waipa¯ , cancelling Balloons Visit Waipa¯ is the right and most responsible decision,” says Jim. Managing director of Classic Events Ltd, Michelle Connell, says, “We are extremely disappointed not to be able to bring the Balloons to Waipa¯ this year.
“We are hopeful of delivering a very-different-look event within the current protection framework. This, however, will need to be Hamilton based to adhere to government guidelines under the red setting, but we are hopeful for a return to Waipa¯ in 2023,” says Michelle.
Balloons Visit Waipa¯ was a previous successful applicant to the Waipa¯ District Promotion Fund.