Apart from some alarmingly rapid hopping by a few adults
competing in a sack race, the pace of life was mostly
laid-back during a sun-drenched family fun day at Purakaunui
at the weekend.
As happy youngsters buzzed with excitement nearby, Ngaire
Pattillo (93), of Dunedin, who first attended a fun day at
Purakaunui nearly 90 years ago, spent a few moments
remembering.
She has been heading over to Purakaunui for summer holidays
since the early 1920s, when her family first acquired a crib
there. It is still in family ownership.
The event, at the Mouat's Bay Reserve, had always been
''great'' to attend.
''It was always fun for kids.''
When the afternoon sack races were over, she strolled over to
the beach to take a closer look at the decorated boat
entries. This event was won this year by Annabelle Ritchie
(14), with a hobbit-themed boat.
Another lively entry involved a kayak festooned with
balloons.
Mrs Pattillo vividly recalled winning a similar
boat-decorating event at Purakaunui in the early 1930s, at
the age of 12. On that occasion her boat was decorated with
toitoi and carried a lamp.
In those days the celebrations were particularly memorable,
with boats progressing across the inlet at night on New
Year's Eve with lamps burning aboard.
Purakaunui Amenities Society president Jude Newton said she
was ''very, very pleased'' with the latest fun day, which had
attracted about 100 people.
Beautiful weather had contributed to its success, and the
latest form of the annual event, which had been running for
about 10 years, was also gaining momentum, she said. Jo
Burnside, who lives at Purakaunui, was also impressed.
''I've never seen such a happy and large crowd [at the annual
event].''
john.gibb@odt.co.nz
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