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Cold and windy conditions did little to deter crowds from turning out for the Ōrewa Wintery Festival.
Around 100 swimmers took part in the adults’ and children’s Polar Swims, while the event area drew people of all ages for snow play, entertainment and food.
Destination Ōrewa manager Hellen Wilkins says the weather lived up to the festival’s name.
“It was cold, it was windy, and yet people still came along in great numbers,” she says.
A total of 50 prizes were available during the Polar Swims, including $50 cash prizes and vouchers from New World and local restaurants.
Wilkins says most swimmers came from Ōrewa and Whangaparāoa, but registration sheets also showed participants travelling from Helensville, Shelly Beach and Titirangi.
“Seeing people make the trip to Ōrewa for a winter event, despite the weather, was really heartwarming,” she says.
The free community event also featured 15 tonnes of snow supplied by Snowplanet, along with children’s entertainment and food trucks.
