In order to address concerns raised through the liquor licensing process, organisers are to trial the Blenheim event as an R18 Festival. This means that those under 18 years will not be able to enter the festival. In the past children and young adults have been admitted free providing they were accompanied by a parent or their legal guardian. It is apparent that some have abused this rule in the past and removing the under 18 group from the festival is expected to resolve the problem. The decision will be evaluated after the festival on the 2nd February.
There is no agenda to extend this ruling to the Hastings or Mt Maunganui festivals unless the presence of minors at the festivals becomes an issue.
Other News:
Photos from the Mount festival are now loaded in the Photo Gallery. They are worth checking out!
Organisers of the Mt Maunganui festival scheduled for Thursday 8th January 09 are getting right back to the roots of this long standing celebration of fine ales and culinary cusine. The coming event will see a major shift towards genuine craft and premium ales replacing the major beer brands, Lion Red, Speights Gold, Tui, Export and Waikato. Chairman of the organising committee, Garry Waldron says that the festival has always been positioned to appeal to the 30yr plus audience. He says that market research commissioned after the last festival has confirmed that this audience is looking for more variety with the beverages available and in particular more craft beers. Armed with this information, the committee is introducing a range of locally produced and imported craft and premium beers that have not perviously been available at the event. This includes ales from some of the worlds most renown beer producing countries in Europe.
The research also showed that patrons in the target group are seeking more blues music where in recent years we have endeavoured to provide something for everyone, says Garry. So for 2009 the entertainment line-up will be a solid top class blues festival with the absolute best blues artists that we can find.
Garry acknowledges that the move to solely craft and premium beers and increased focus on blues music will likely see attendance by those under 30 years declining. But being frank he says, the festival has never been targeted at this group and believes that the new strategy that has been endorsed by the committee is sensible and will help ensure that the locals continue to enjoy this extravaganza of great music, fine ales and culinary cuisine for many years to come.
Festival organisers are delighted to announce that Bulmer Cider will be joining the festivals again for the summer of 2009. This follows a highly successful partnership that was developed last year. Bulmer Cider is a premium New Zealand produce with its roots in Gisborne. Now part of the Fosters Group, the company has signed up as the exclusive provider of Cider to all three festivals, Mt Manuganui, Hastings and Blenheim.
Organisers are delighted that Bulmer Cider will again be part of the festivals saying that it will complement the focus on craft brewed ales and add greater variety to an already extensive range of beverages.
Patrons arriving at the Mt Maunganui festival in January will find a somewhat different process to gain entry. Other than the usual ticket check, those with bags will need to be prepared to have them checked for alcohol, food, drugs and party pills. These are all prohibited items for the festival.
Those aged between 18 years and 25 years, or anyone fortunate enough to look this young will then need to present ID in the form of a photo drivers license, a passport or an HANZ 18+ card. A coloured wristband will be issued to those aged 18 years and over and it will not be possible to purchase beverages without the wristband.
Organisers also anticipate that the use of bands will have other positive benefits. The age-old problem of people jumping the fence and steeling a glass will be nailed since they will be unable to obtain the wrist band. Organisers also believe that this small group is substantially responsible for the occasional disorderly behaviour incidents that they attend to.
The introduction of wristbands is expected to make a positive contribution to what is already regarded as the best day out on the Bay’s summer calendar.