SHOW: Ronald McDonald pleases the crowd with his entertaining show. D4472-063
QUEUES to fun activities were never-ending at Monday night’s Light Party.
Light Party committee member Lori Fretwell said the evening event worked out beautifully, despite predictions of rain and hail.
“It was a popular atmos-phere for such a large event. The crowds were huge and really well behaved.”
Over 4000 people attended the annual event, many dressed in the onesie and pyjama theme.
Mrs Fretwell said there were prizes for best dressed people – 10 for individuals and two for families.
Captain Jack Sparrow, Nemo and a tiger family were stand-outs, Mrs Fretwell said.
She said organisers asked for no scary costumes to be worn and everyone complied.
Popular activities included the 30-metre world’s biggest obstacle course, archery, the Ronald McDonald show and the chair-o-plane.
“We had never ending queues. The kids would get off and then queue again.”
Trading cards were introduced this year that children could choose to collect instead of a lolly. A prize was awarded to those who collected the 12 different cards.
Mrs Fretwell said the cards were introduced to reduce the Light Party’s sugar footprint.
“[The trading cards] worked exceedingly well. At the end, children were opting for the trading cards rather than another lolly and trading amongst themselves.
“We were astounded at the buy-in. They got to take the trading cards home with them.”
Mrs Fretwell said the trading card aspect would be used at future parties and given to schools beforehand to build momentum.
The event was held at the Whakatane War Memorial Centre from 5.30pm to 7.45pm.
Everything provided to make the event a success, including the barbecue, candy floss and noodles, was free.
Mrs Fretwell said the live entertainment was popular with the crowd.
Other activities included temporary tattoos, fire engine rides, horse and pony rides, crazy hairdressers and zorbs.
haylee.king@whakatanebeacon.co.nz
