St Patrick’s Day theme added to festivities

Friends (from left) Amber Cook, Megan Fynn, Jess Venn and Kayleigh Oakham enjoy St Patrick’s Day at Selwyn Park. 081071AD

Having this year’s Te Awamutu Lions Wine and Food Festival coincide with St Patrick’s Day gave everyone the chance to have just a little bit more fun.

Green was the predominant colour at Saturday’s event held in Selwyn Park, and everyone seemed determined to celebrate in style.

Festival committee chairman Ray says the club and helpers were rapt with how well the event went.

This year there was a cover charge of $10 for adults, which purchased entry and a tasting glass, and with about 1500 paying customers and a good number of children it was well supported.

Lions chose to include the charge this year to enable better facilities and security for the event, and to hopefully build up a nest egg to make it bigger and better in subsequent years.

There were over 40 stalls with samples and products ranging from boutique beers, wines and all manner of food.

Mr Marx says despite the best efforts of organisers, there was still a shortage of food stalls and food for sale compared to other stalls.

“We will be working even harder next year to ensure there are more stalls and food available right until the end of the day,” he says.

It is also just the second year all-day musical entertainment has been included in the festival, and there is still some tweaking to undertake to make it work even better. Four bands played throughout the day to a great reception from their audiences.

The Big Muffin Serious Band opened with a range of songs that were predominantly for humorous effect, but also showed off considerable musical talent. Micky Martin from The Galway ramblers had the crowd eating from his hand with his Irish wit, and kickin’ renditions of traditional Irish music. Joe 90 showed why they continue to be a popular covers act, and proved a great warm-up to the final act, 3 Brothers Band. By then most everyone was fully immersed in the atmosphere of the event.

Organisers thanked everyone who sponsored the event, and the great crowd for turning out.