Sites going fast for Food and Wine Festival
Stall sites have almost sold out for the Golden Bay Cultural Food and Wine Festival at the end of January, says co-organiser Terry Knight.
“There were 40 to 50 sites available this year and there are only a few left. People still wanting a stall need to get into gear fast.”
It will be quite a shopping bonanza, says Terry. “I am making a few smaller stalls this year for people who just want to bring along some produce from their garden and have a fun day. There will be also a few public interest stalls for Golden Bay-based organisations like the Promotions Association and Tracks, which are free for the stallholders.
“One thing we will endeavor to maintain is that the Golden Bay Cultural Food And Wine Festival will remain unashamedly, parochially, a festival to showcase the very best, culture, art, music, wine and food of Golden Bay. We have piano through to jazz, blues and funky country with some surprising talent fresh out of the bush. For your taste buds there is on offer a collection of some of the best products and produce from Golden Bay. Seafood, wild food, fresh food and local produce, coffee, local wine, beer and spirits, even some of granny’s cooking; plus a great range of stalls selling local art, craft, some very stylish clothing, jewellery and accessories—all grown, harvested, made or created in this unique and inspiring piece of Aotearoa.”
Drawcards include big names like Te Radar, who will compère the event alongside local councillor Martine Bouillir. Also featuring are a poet and six bands, all with some connection to the Bay.
Locally produced food and wine will, of course, be top of the bill, and people are encouraged to bring empty stomachs and fired-up taste buds.
Last year’s inaugural festival in Pohara drew a happy crowd of 1500 people. Many stalls sold out and the organisers received plenty of positive feedback. However, there were high setup costs and bills rolled in after the site was cleared, and the organisers are hoping for a better financial outcome this year in order to keep the festival viable.
“We are hoping to have 2000 people through the gates this year, otherwise we may have to can the whole concept,” said Terry. “We don’t get funding from any government department and have to fund it entirely by ourselves.”
One main sponsor, Nick Hodgkinson, said there would be some improvements to the setup, “and the stage will be possibly a little bit different from last year. The support for stalls has been great, and if you like whitebait or venison, go there! I don’t remember how many whitebait sandwiches I had, they were so nice.”
The festival will be held on Sunday 23 January 2011, from 11am to 6pm, at Bruce and Joan Richmond’s Kowhatu Estate, Richmond Rd, Pohara. Tickets are $16 per adult prepaid from the Schnapp Dragon Distillery in Takaka, the Golden Bay I-site and Everyman Records in Nelson, or at the gate for $20. Children under the age of 16 are free. For more information email terry@wildfruit.co.nz or phone 03 525 9899.
Te Radar will also perform two shows at the Village Theatre on 21 and 22 January.
Ina Holst
