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While thousands of visitors will enjoy the magic of the Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights on Saturday July 4, much of the event’s success depends on the dedication of around 25 volunteers working behind-the-scenes.
From setting up attractions to welcoming visitors and ensuring safety throughout the evening, volunteers play an essential role in delivering the event.
Volunteer Christa Harley, who has been involved with the festival for four years, says every volunteer makes a valuable contribution.
“The festival couldn’t exist without the volunteers,” Harley says. “Whatever you’re able to do as a volunteer is really helpful because every little thing helps.”
Although the festival itself runs for six hours, the work starts long before the first visitors arrive. Volunteers spend the day setting up attractions and later dismantling them once the event concludes.
Those not involved in physical tasks take on equally important responsibilities, including greeting visitors, answering questions, managing crowds, directing traffic and helping ensure children remain safe throughout the festival.
“People can’t imagine how much work goes on behind the scenes – the preparation the committee undertakes, the amount of work involved, not to mention the fact that the end result is a free event for the whole family.”
For Harley, volunteering is about much more than hard work. She says the experience fosters teamwork, mutual support and a strong sense of community spirit.
“I have no doubt the team genuinely enjoys helping the community. When you see the smiles on kids’ faces during the festival, it is incredibly rewarding.
“Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights is an opportunity for families to enjoy an event of scale, at a time when things can feel a little sleepy,” she says.
Anyone interested in joining the volunteer team can contact the festival organisers at mahulightfest@gmail.com.
