| A Day of Two Halves The Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights began early for the committee—6am, to be exact. Why so early? Well, there’s always someone who parks where they shouldn’t. This year was no exception. We found three cars down on the wharf: one with a man sleeping inside, whom we gently asked to move on, and two others whose owners wisely got a ride home after a few drinks. We managed to sort everything out quickly. The morning greeted us with clear skies, and we hoped for a fine day to attract the crowds. As the food trucks and amusements began setting up, the rain decided to join us just as we were ready to start at 11am. Despite the showers, bursts of sunshine brought people out, and the streets were lively whenever the rain paused. By 4pm, the rain had cleared, and as dusk settled in, Warkworth transformed into a magical wonderland. The festival truly came alive as thousands of visitors filled the streets, especially during the ITM Parade of Lights. Seeing so many excited families and smiling faces made all the hard work worthwhile. Our small committee of eight dedicated individuals puts in countless hours to bring this event to life, and nothing makes us happier than witnessing the joy it brings to our community. Local businesses and the Local Board fund the festival, but it’s the businesses’ continued support year after year that makes it possible. We encourage everyone to support these businesses as they support us. The festival not only brings joy but also boosts the local economy during a typically slow season. It’s heartening to see local shops and cafes bustling with activity on festival day. While these events demand a lot from us—some committee members worked from 6am to 11:30pm—there’s no greater reward than creating something that brings happiness to our town. The joy our volunteers feel from being part of this event and our community is palpable. It reminds me that no matter the challenges we face, we will overcome them and thrive because we are stronger together. Thank you to everyone in our region who supported the festival. The Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights appreciates you all and looks forward to many more magical moments together.  Murray Chapman One Mahurangi Manager murray@onemahurangi.co.nz www.onemahurangi.co.nz Support Local, Buy Local, Employ Local, Love Local! |
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