Tuesday, 09 March 2010
MIKE van der Boom, the events manager for the Eastern Bay economic development agency Toi-EDA says he was thrilled with the 2000-plus crowd that flocked to the Experience Matata festival on Saturday.
The attractions and events included the arrival at midday of a 1940s steam train loaded with 350 passengers from Tauranga; aerial displays by classic planes; and displays of vintage and classic cars and motorbikes. The main road through the town was closed to allow people to view the display vehicles and buy products from local craft and food stalls.
Whakatane entertainer Lily Latham also helped provide a relaxed atmosphere with some low-key singing.
“It was an incredible day really,” Mr van der Boom said. “The whole Matata community got in behind it as did visitors from throughout the Bay of Plenty.”
Graeme Crossman, the man who organised the steam train journey, said he was blown away by what the people of Matata had put on.
“This is much more than I expected.”
Mr Crossman said he was very eager to make the event an annual occurrence.
Mr van der Boom said he was optimistic that Experience Matata and last weekend’s Hot Summer Night Street Fiesta in Whakatane would both come under the umbrella of the region-wide Kiwi Festival from next year.
The Kiwi Festival, which already includes the Maketu Kaimoana festival and other concerts and festivals in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, is a series of events in February and March that highlight the coastal Bay of Plenty.
“It also augers well for future steam train excursions in conjunction with cruise ship arrivals at the Port of Tauranga,” Mr van der Boom said.