Helicopter rides among many party activities

Party in the Park organiser Kelly Ennis of Mosgiel at Peter Johnstone Park. Photo: Linda Robertson
Party in the Park organiser Kelly Ennis of Mosgiel at Peter Johnstone Park. Photo: Linda Robertson

Something old, something new, something helicoptered, something blue — this year’s Party in the Park is a marriage of the best things the Taieri has to offer.

Event secretary Kelly Ennis said, like previous years, this Sunday’s event would be a great family day out, with 90 food and craft stalls, carnival rides and a stage with plenty of live entertainment for all the family.

The new venue at Mosgiel’s Peter Johnstone Park meant this year’s event promised to be different, she said.

‘‘It’s just bigger and better.’’

One of the great things about having more space was it meant Highland Helicopters could provide 15-minute flights over the Taieri so residents could get an aerial view of their backyard.

‘‘We’ve never had the ability to do that before because we didn’t have the space.’’

She said three helicopters would be operating, with one providing a unique opportunity for people to do ‘‘hands-on flights’’.

‘‘One of the really cool things is they will have a little helicopter, where the pilot will take someone up and let them have a go at flying and then take them down again.’’

Mrs Ennis said another new element to the event was schools on the Taieri were involved in running activities there, including bouncy castles, hair and nail decorations, face­painting and creation stations.

‘‘That’s one of the biggest joys for me.

‘‘It gives them an opportunity to use their entrepreneurial skills. It’s really cool.’’

Much of the Mosgiel business community was also involved, she said.

‘‘We’ve got a whole stage line­up of entertainment. We’ve got a Zumba session, a Subway-eating competition, a sour lolly-eating competition — it should be a really fantastic day out.’’

There would also be something blue (almost) at the party, she said.

‘‘We’re mapping out the size at the site of the new aquatic complex that Mosgiel is fundraising for.

‘‘It’s about 21m by 50m and people are going to be able to see how big it’s going to be.’’

Party in the Park is part of the Festival of The Plain which starts today and concludes with the Party in the Park on Sunday.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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