‘Accidental’ event blossoms
Spectators came in their thousands to see the cherry blossoms at the Waikato Cherry Tree Festival.
Now in its second year, Paul Oulton and Anne Cao decided to start the festival after they caught people wandering on to their property for a glimpse of the flowering trees in spring.
Tickets to the ‘‘accidental festival’’ sold out in days, Oulton said.
Yesterday morning, Oulton was busy taking calls from people keen to be part of the festivities at the Tamahere homes.
But lots of people, some who arrived on buses, were being turned away at the gate, he said.
‘‘We’ve had a few disgruntled people. Some have turned up and said they’ve got their children all dressed and ready, but we don’t have any tickets left.’’
People were shoulder to shoulder in the 175-metre driveway of English Cherry Tree Manor on Matangi Rd.
When Oulton bought the 2-hectare property 22 years ago, the drive was planted with paulownias.
He scattered 40 cherry trees in between each one, which made them grow tall and straight and form a canopy. He eventually felled the paulownias, but the cherry trees remain.
For every tree, there were 20 people standing beside it yesterday taking photos.
Aucklanders Marina Eggleton, Mariia Kamianskaia, 2-year-old Elizabeth Kamianskaia and 3-year-old Maria Eggleton drove south to enjoy the day.
They heard about the festival through a friend and bought tickets right away.
Not only was the festival a pleasant surprise, the scenic drive from Auckland was a highlight for the group.
There were activities, dances and food throughout the day.
From kung fu demonstrators, to Flamenco dancers and stilt walkers, pony rides and a fire twirler in the evening, there was something for everyone.