Festival of Lights - accolades and criticisms

June 30th, 2010
William Cleaver

I feel we have to add a comment regarding the festival of lights. All credit has to go to the organisers for the time taken and the events they represented. It's the town of Motueka that falls down on the accolades that could be dished out.

On the night of the opening why were no shops open other than the usual opening hours for Motueka CBD? Where was the festival atmosphere other than the blonde fairy running around making a nuisance of herself? Two commercial food stalls and a handful of fundraisers? Come on!

That Shining Gown Exhibition had 0.7% - yes that's point seven of a per cent - of the population visited the show over 3 and a half days. Not to mention the fantastic music played outside the museum had the attendance record of a tiddlywinks competition at the local primary school.

We have to ask why as to the low interest or is it that we can't be bothered? Such events are done to raise the spirit of the community. Has the spirit been raised by us as a community by just sitting back in our lounger and saying hey look what going on in our town we must be special. Yet I cant be bothered going out to have a look.

Are the events the right kind of events we want to go and see? Maybe a parade with Pamela Anderson as the sugar plum fairy and Brad Pitt as the town cryer may have us swarming to the street screaming like girls at a Beatles concert. Or was it that the Festival of Lights is done over a week and we kept putting off going to have a look before it was too late?

Which brings me too my suggestion.

Why not have the Festival over a Saturday or the whole weekend, Dawn to Dusk Winter Festival? Much like our A&P show but in the main street or one of the local School grounds. Non stop bands, food courts and food exhibitions, displays by clubs, anything that can showcase our town and followed by a Fireworks display.

These sort of events have worked well in the past for other towns like Christchurch, Hokitika (the Wild Foods Festival), Blenheim and just about every other small town in NZ, so why not us. At least the attendance rating might be up.

Just a thought.

Comment by Mary Ann Ong:
[Posted 3 July 2010]

Being new to the community, I do agree with William's commented about the Festival of Lights event. I thought there was going to be a Parade where different groups in the community would come up with a lighted up small themed floats towed by bicycles or even creative costumes with lights.

A good weekend of events would have been sufficient as this would attract people from out of town to spend the weekend here. I was thinking that another good thing to have during this event would be promoting mussels. If Bluff has the oysters, we have the mussels! This can be an all Saturday event carried out at the recreation field and having family events/races.

The other thought would be having a community project where Motueka forms its own singing group called 'Golden Voices'. Anyone can join as it's for people who just enjoy singing. They would perform for any social events or to raise funds, etc. I believe this would be help to close the generation gap.

Comment by Anita Newport:
[Posted 5 July 2010]

I would firstly like to thank Liz and everybody who spend a lot of voluntary time organising the Festival of Lights and many other events that are run in Motueka.

I have recently become a committee member of Our Town Motueka and one of the reasons I enjoy my role is that I get to meet so many people that are passionate about our town and want to promote what we have to offer. Our Town Motueka creates a partnership between business and community aiming to improve the physical, economic and social environment of Motueka.

As William mentioned, "Such events are done to raise the spirit of the community" so it saddens me that after such events that I hear so much criticism (not only referring to previous comments but from the general public and business community) "Why did they do it like that?" "They should do it like this..."

Where were all the wonderful ideas and support before the volunteers worked hard at creating something for all of us to enjoy? I say ... If you're not prepared to be part of the solution, then you may very well be part of the problem!

I welcome discussion and ideas on our , and will happily take any suggestions to our meetings. Or alternatively just get in touch with me or any of the other members. We don't bite :-)

Out town Motueka ... It's your town too!

Comment by Val Armstrong:
[Posted 11 July 2010]

This was my first Festival of Lights, having moved here since the last one, and I just want to say that it was a great event. We attended quite a few of the events put on, as many as we had time to visit, and enjoyed both the quality of entertainment at most of them and the variety. It's great that so many people made the effort to put on and run their own events.

I think the way it was organised, with the committee doing the overall planning and arrangements and leaving individuals and groups to organise their own events, was a great way of spreading the load. Sure, it meant some were better organised than others, but at least there was variety and lots of people in the community were involved.

We too were a bit surprised that the opening night wasn't a parade of some sort, as that was what the advertising suggested - a Mardi Gras - but it was a freezing night so we undersand.

I say to the committee - keep up the good work and I look forward to next year's event - a great way to take your mind off the mid-winter hibernation. Our favourites were the Tasman Brass Ensemble, the debate, the wedding dresses, the high school play, and Matariki celebration.

Comment by William Cleaver:
[Posted 1 August 2010]

Discussion gone stale. Festival of Lights continues to make the discussion table at the grumpy old mens club. Ideas thus far:- One weekend. Can it all together, add to the Sunday market for the four weekends in June displays and events in Decks Reserve. Change the 'Name to Winter' festival. Have a themed events, such as Apple Festival. Any ideas, bring them on.

Comment by Liz Salt:
[Posted 29 August 2010]

Thank you for your comments regarding the recent Festival of Lights. As a first-time Chairman, I was and am very, very proud of the Committee members and those untold volunteers who helped organise and put on so many of the events - not to mention the wonderful men who help distribute the shop, street and museum lights and pack them away again.

I have been a member of the committee for several years now, and know very well the effort that it takes to put on this type of event. I thank those of you who have commented on the Festival to date and would very much appreciate any other ideas or feedback as the Committee will be meeting soon to debrief this year's event.

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