Geraldine Festival off to a great start
Geraldine Festivalgoers were shoulder to shoulder as a main street market signalled the event’s return to the town after being cancelled in 2021.
With stalls lining the main street, all the shops were open along with an art exhibition and around 20 gardens, according to festival co-ordinator Alex Thorpe.
He said the team was really excited to bring the event back.
‘‘It will be a very lively Geraldine over the weekend,’’ Thorpe said.
‘‘We always like to hold it on Canterbury Anniversary weekend, but it is really good this year with South Canterbury being off as well.’’
Today the domain will be full with about 200 stalls, food trucks, and plenty of entertainment for children.
‘‘There will be a huge variety of stalls and food trucks, there will actually be more food trucks this year than previous, and this year is the most open gardens we have had,’’ Thorpe said.
‘‘It is good to be back after a year off.’’
The weekend will also see professional and emerging artists’ work displayed, art exhibition art convenor Elaine Taylor said.
About 200 pieces of work will be displayed at Mundells, and it is expected more than 3000 people will view them, she said.
‘‘We have already had people calling, asking if there would be enough room to park a minivan as a group of people from out of the district want to come.
‘‘It is absolutely amazing, it is a great way for young emerging artists to showcase their work, and showcase it alongside professional artists.’’
Taylor said the experience would be amazing for young artists.
‘‘The emerging and students will showcase their creativity to the public, and mixing with professional artists who will be so supportive and will teach them a lot.
‘‘It is just going to be a wonderful weekend, for people participating in the exhibition, and people viewing it,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘It is great for Geraldine, but it is great for the wider district.’’