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The community will provide all of this year’s on-stage entertainment.
Carved pumpkins and creepy costumes will be a feature of this year’s Halloween-themed Kowhai Festival, along with food, music, entertainment and stalls.
The event marks its 48th year this month and is the second longest running festival in New Zealand.
The festival runs from October 8 to November 3 with the highlight, the Huge Day Out, taking place on Queen Street, Warkworth, on October 28.
Kowhai Festival chair Murray Chapman says the theme is appropriate with Halloween occurring during the festival period.
“We introduced a theme a few years ago to try and get retailers involved with the festival and engage children in the event,” Mr Chapman says.
Fitting with this will be the open air screening of the original Ghostbusters film at the Shoesmith Domain on October 27.
The following day, Queen Street will be buzzing, with up to 20,000 people expected on the main street for the the Huge Day Out. People will be able to browse around 190 stalls selling goods and promoting organisations.
For those wanting to relax, live music will be playing on two stages, one situated by the Mahurangi River and a community stage next to The Camera Shop.
“We decided not to have a headline act this year because there is so much quality talent locally,” Mr Chapman says.
Those taking to the stage include a Mahurangi College band, rock group Texas Storm and Brent from More FM radio. Music at the main stage can be accompanied by a beverage with Te Rata Free Range Wines running the garden bar offering a special, festival-inspired India Pale Ale.
A dog show will be run by the dog club for the first time this year (see page 30).
Meanwhile, a Canoe Showdown will include four races along the Mahurangi River, ranging from 2km to 20km in length. The Mahu City Express will be running a free shuttle bus service from Mahurangi College to Mill Lane on a regular basis as parking will be limited.
A total of 50 volunteers will be present to help run the Huge Day Out, and police will be stationed on Queen Street into the evening to ensure people’s safety.
