Carnival gets off to good start
Organisers of the 110th annual Caroline Bay Carnival have welcomed fine weather despite forecast rain.
‘‘It’s been going alright all things considered. We have missed the weather, we have been very lucky,’’ Caroline Bay Association president Allen Martin said yesterday.
The December 26-January 10 carnival comes with a $70,000 budget and Martin said it had got off to a ‘‘chilly’’ start on Boxing Day, in terms of weather and takings.
‘‘We were at about 60 to 70 per cent of last year’s takings on opening day,’’ he said.
However, things warmed up on Sunday as fine weather stuck around Timaru, he said.
‘‘We were happy with Sunday, there was a good crowd.’’
That included a good turnout for the annual Caroline Bay Carnival Tiny Tots, Grandmother and Grandchild, and Fancy Dress competitions, he said.
About half of the 16 live entertainments acts booked are from the South Island, including four from South Canterbury – The Soul Agency, Sons of Remo, Tightazz and Bring on the Chops, who opened the carnival on Saturday.
The NZ Eagles Tribute Show, Capitol City, Rocket Man – The Elton John Tribute Show, and The British Invasions 60s Show are all coming from Auckland.
Caroline Bay Association entertainment manager Kevin Fahey said there had been a good response to the live entertainment so far.
Meanwhile, Martin said wiring and switches had been replaced in preparation for the 2021 pyrotechnic display at midnight to welcome the new year, after the 2020 display did not eventuate.
Spectators were left underwhelmed when technical issues first delayed the 2020 show until four minutes past midnight and eventually left more than twothirds of the 269 individual fireworks unignited.
’’We are pretty confident there shouldn’t be any problems [this time].’’