About 1500 people attended this year’s Christmas in the Park. SIDNEY FIMONE -ROTARACT/22121618
Wet weather and the petrol crisis failed to deter families who turned up in numbers for the 2022 Rotaract Christmas in the Park event on Wednesday night.
The
annual event held at the National Auditorium attracted over 1500 people.
Rotaract
Rarotonga president Byron Brown was pleased with the turnout given the wet
weather conditions and the ongoing petrol crisis. The island ran out of petrol
on Tuesday.
“The
turnout was quite good despite the weather conditions, the weather held out
during the event, and it didn’t really affect the event because the activities
and performances were held indoors. We also managed to have fireworks and just
when everything concluded, it bucketed down,” Brown said.
The
gates opened at 5pm alongside the childrens’ activities which included face
painting, bouncy castles, kids’ games, Japanese community-organised activities,
a colouring corner and the favourite, Santa Claus, who was available for
pictures. Vendors also sold local delicacies and beverages.
Entertainment
items began at 6pm and included performances from singer Jerome Pare, Akauka
Time (dance), the Filipino Community dance and choir, Ohiva and Kiana (song), Nicolea
Mateariki (dance), Tuaine and Reeana (songs) and Korero group dance.
There
was also a mascots dance-off and giveaways courtesy of CITC, who donated toys.
The children also took part in a costume parade and a dance battle.
Brown
said: “The aim of the Rotaract Christmas in the Park is to get families,
especially kids, together to celebrate Christmas. It an annual affair and funds
raised from this event will help finance Rotaract community projects for 2023.”
“There
were a lot of happy children and we’re pleased to be able to put together the
event with the support of our sponsors and volunteers.
“We
will be meeting soon to look at the projects we can support from the money
raised at the Christmas in the Park.”
