This year we are concentrating on our Whanau Stage and on products that have been made in New Zealand. The Market Area will feature quality crafts and provides something for everyone. For the children we've got a fabulous field of fun fair rides. We welcome back our gypsy village for the third year giving the public a chance to meet up with those who prefer the mobile home life to the city pad. Give your kids a ride on Larry & Rosie’s funfair all built in NZ by them and their kids. The Machine Park will bring lovers of steam engines a treat and a yarn. Look out for Hi Ha Hu a provoking multi media surprise artist, Francis Kimata and AK Samba will add their magic.
Shopping in the market stalls is a full on experience at the most eclectic shopping experience in New Zealand. With 300 stalls not only will you enjoy the experience, but if you don’t get all your Christmas shopping in early then you will regret it. The festival is eftpos free, so don’t go home disappointed make sure you are cashed up for the day.
Original clothing from a variety of established NZ designers will be on sale. Hand made sandles and shoes of lasting quality and comfort from Bo Jandles are a rare find. Gordon, a veteran of NZ & British nuclear testing at Christmas Island travels with his wife and grandchildren selling kids toys and fancies through the summer months and is a veteran stallholder at the Festival. Poppy the Clown and his wife bring fairy wonder and a bit of kids fun on their stall. Munch your way round the world with treats from our unique food stalls. Hans from Aloha Shave Ice helps organise the festival and sells his yummy for the tummy shave ice, always a favourite with young and old.
Many of the stallholders love the Grey Lynn Park Festival for the chance it gives them to bring their products and their passions to the public. Community groups and clubs get the chance to do some fundraising and profile themselves. With the capture of many city events by commercial interests and sole right sponsorships, the Festival provides inclusive grass roots support for individual entrepreneurs and artists that has been eroded from many other public events.
We call for the public to support our small organisation by helping out with the costs of putting on the event by buying a programme for $1 or $2 from our official collectors. Not leaving us too much rubbish to pay for in the cleaning up costs. Not causing us grief with alcohol fuelled behaviours. Watch out for your cars, with a huge crowd you may want to catch public transport or carpool, bring the sunscreen and get ready for an awesome day.
The festival runs from 9.30am till 5.30pm.
Regards, Grey Lynn Park Festival Trust Board.