| A shining light! On Saturday the 9th of July, Warkworth came alive as shops strung lights up in the main street as well as a few in Neville and Mill Lane and a few more dotted about the town. What a delightful difference the lights make to our town! Some Warkworth businesses really have gone the extra mile to light up the night. On the 9th we had the Wharf and Kapanui Streets closed off from early morning and the Festival kicked off at 3pm. Live music, rides, amusements, and food trucks filled the wharf area but the real action began once it started to get dark. People came out in their thousands to enjoy what the festival had to offer, and also to either be in the Parade or just be with family and friends to watch it from the sidelines. The Warkworth ITM Parade of Lights started at 6pm lead off by the Pipe Band followed by the ITM crew, the Police and Fire Service, followed by a long line of businesses and folks all lit up. What an amazing sight it was! The town streets and wharf were jam-packed with an estimated 6000 people, all with happy smiling faces. This festival brings a lot of people into Warkworth at a time when it is normally very quiet, and I know that the local eateries always do a roaring trade on Parade night. Retailers also grab attention from the increased foot traffic with their sparkling window displays. It’s a great showcase for the town! And the festival isn’t over! We have coming up on the 23rd of July the GULL Laser Light Show. We will have Baxter Street closed off all day, the Bus stop will be on Neville Street. Please do not park between the cones as it makes it very difficult and dangerous for the buses coming through. The GULL Laser Light Show will once again have a snow pit for the kids, an illuminated disco dance floor in the Masonic Hall, food trucks, amusements, a game of illuminated mini golf, VR (Virtual Reality) Goggles, and face painting. The Laser show will begin at 6pm with a fight between Good and Evil! It is a night not to be missed, a great way to end the school holidays. The Mahuarngi Winter Festival of Lights is a chance to lift your spirits in the middle of winter. Come into town and walk the streets looking at the lights and grab something to eat and drink from one of our talented eateries while you’re here. Spend time watching the Laser Light show, and all the fun the festival has to offer. Get into the festival spirit, support your local community and remember we are Stronger Together. |
 Murray Chapman Manager, One Mahurangi Business Association murray@onemahurangi.co.nz www.onemahurangi.co.nz |
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