Morrinsville fireworks rocket ahead
Waikato’s 2020 event schedule may be dwindling, but Morrinsville’s annual fireworks display aims to fill the void with bursts of colour.
Organisers have announced planning for Morrinsville’s MBS advisers Fireworks Extravaganza is ‘‘full steam ahead’’, despite many events being cancelled this year due to Covid-19.
Morrinsville Chamber of Commerce CEO Cathy Balvert said the committee had many discussions over the past month about whether the event should be cancelled, but felt the region needed something to look forward to.
‘‘Morrinsville is back on track with the fireworks,’’ Balvert said.
‘‘Prior to Covid-19 we had entertainers booked, and we’ve had them reconfirmed, so we will have entertainment on stage and off-stage, fireworks and a laser light display to music.
‘‘As a teaser last week I put something on the community page. We were absolutely inundated with positivity.
‘‘So provided everyone who said yes comes and spreads the word, I foresee it being the biggest event we’ve ever had.’’
The display, which is Waikato’s only standalone Guy Fawkes event, was cancelled last year due to the Rugby World Cup and a lack of volunteers.
The last few years the visitor numbers also dropped due to bad weather.
Balvert said the event used to get around 7000 people each year, but with large sponsors less likely this year, the event will rely more heavily on ticket sales.
‘‘A lot of people were very disappointed last year that the event got cancelled because some couldn’t give a hoot about rugby — they really threw it at us when we didn’t get into the finals.
‘‘It has to be stressed this year the community needs to support the event, because it’s a make-or-break year.’’