Thousands join in Sarau celebration
In perfect conditions, the 11th annual Sarau Festival drew thousands of people to Upper Moutere to celebrate the area, its bounty and its people.
Co-ordinator Jenny Leith said there was a light breeze from about 3pm and then a cover of cloud rolled over the ‘‘pretty intense’’ sun.
‘‘It was perfect weather,’’ she said. ‘‘It was still warm but not baking.’’
Leith, who has been chief organiser for all 11 festivals, did not have a crowd number to hand but said she believed it was similar to previous years when an estimated 4500 people came through the gates at the Moutere Hills Community Centre grounds.
‘‘We got some new people but the majority are people who come repeatedly,’’ Leith said of the 2018 crowd.
‘‘A lot of people say: ‘It’s our favourite festival of the year’.’’
Likewise, most of the 115 stallholders had been before with 20 to 30 new stalls this year.
Photo competition coordinator Jane Wells said there was a record 80 entries.
‘‘It was particularly strong in under 15 years,’’ Wells said, adding that Oscar Hay won that section.
The other winners were Julie Hay for the Life in the Moutere section, Libby Bibby for Life outside the Moutere, Jane Wells for Moutere characters and Rita Edgar for the digitally enhanced section while Penny Lennard won the viewers’ choice award.
‘‘It was a popular tent during the day,’’ Wells said.
Leith said the NBS Kids Zone was again a big drawcard with the younger festival goers.
For the first time, children’s food was on offer at the zone including watermelon, jelly cups, sausages and ‘‘crispy treats’’ along with apples and pears which were donated by Richards’ Fruit Stall.
While she intended to step down as co-ordinator for the 2019 festival, Leith said she was sure she would be involved.
‘‘I’ve loved doing it, being part of a big, volunteer team,’’ Leith said. ‘‘There’s been amazing energy from volunteers.’’
Proceeds from the festival, which usually totalled $20,000 to $24,000, were due to be distributed in March by the Sarau Trust.