Community spirit abounds
The Collingwood Summer Food Fair is a triumph for community spirit.
Everyone involved in it is a volunteer.
This is probably one of the reasons it has such a friendly and laid-back atmosphere. Whether it’s the team on the gate, those arranging the parking or the willing workers who have prepared and are serving the food, everyone gives their time free of charge. That includes the musicians, the people who erect the marquees, everyone ... And all the tables, chairs, hay bales, raffle prizes, power cables all come on a donated basis, too.
There are a lot of companies and other organisations who help as well. Pub Charity provides a grant for the hire of one of the large marquees, while Farmlands provides the other. Without the help of these two, the event would be much trickier to put on. There is big contribution from other national and local businesses, too. Nelson Building Society, Sollys Freight, First National, Speights, Ray White, South Fuels and more provide everything from tents to mobile chillers to barbecues.
Sadly, the top of the South Island has been hard hit yet again by a major earthquake and a series of aftershocks. The problems with SH1 and the route through Kaikoura will undoubtedly mean a lot more tourists make their way south via Nelson. The team organising the Collingwood Summer Food Fair are bracing themselves for the possibility of big numbers attending this year as a result.