Wildfoods Festival served up with cut-price tickets
Slashing ticket prices helped attract an estimated 7000 people to the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival – a celebration of the wild food and lifestyle the West Coast offers.
Now in its 35th year, the festival on Saturday drew a huge crowd to the town, offering people the chance to sample weird and exotic local delicacies and gourmet dishes.
Destination Westland boss Mel Anderson said the event gave families a day to forget about stress and worries, particularly in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.
She said organisers had cut ticket prices from $55 to $45 per adult to make it accessible, and were only unable to drop them further because of continued rising costs. “We know it’s hard out there, but you can come and have a day out, put your feet up, enjoy some great music and a great atmosphere.”
Among those who attended was Ashley Cassin, acting mayor of Westland, who ticked off his 15th festival appearance – one that was made more special by spending it with his 2-year-old son.
“It’s full circle for me, from 15 years ago attending my first Hokitika Wildfoods Festival as a Lincoln University student, then being the festival’s event manager, and the last two festivals enjoying the day with my son, Obi,” he said. “People simply have a lot of fun here dressing up and pushing their culinary boundaries.”
Anderson said one of the most valuable parts of the day was the fundraising for local community groups. Local rugby clubs, school and sports groups and charities such as Riding for the Disabled ran stalls and worked in different areas such as ticketing.
“What they make they keep … It’s a really good way of fundraising but also everyone coming together,” Anderson said.
“We have our beer tent run by a local rugby club, our gate ticketing is also done by another local rugby group. It’s a massive fundraiser.”
Anderson said there had been an “amazing vibe” at the festival, with crowds of people gathered together in front of the music stage.
Organisers are now setting their sights on plans for next year, and Anderson said there was some special entertainment in the works. “I can’t say anything yet, but we’re pretty excited.”