Large crowd expected at floral festival

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33063, 2 November 1972, Page 18

Large crowd expected at floral festival

A large crowd is expected to attend the tenth annual Methven Floral Festival, to be held at the Methven Showgrounds on Saturday. The festival has become an established part of the Methven community’s festivities and is one of the major attractions of the year in the district. The floral festival regularly attracts several times the population of Methven to share in die picnic and carnival occasion. Large numbers of patrons come from Christchurch and Ashburton, as well as further afield.

FESTIVAL ORGANISING The first festival in 1963 was organised by the Methven Jaycees, who decided to raise money for local organisations unable to do so for themselves. Since then the people of the district have developed such community spirit and this annual event is now

planned and co-ordinated by a special committee made up of representatives from the various organisations. The planning for the festival is usually begun in May, six months before the day. This gives some idea of the hours of work put in by committee members to ensure the success of the day.

The district has benefitted tremendously from the proceeds of the previous nine festivals, these proceeds having been invested in the

creation of new facilities or for improvements to existing facilities catering for all sections of the local community. The nine festivals held to date have realised more than $23,000. Among the projects to benefit have been major improvements to the Methven Swimming Pool, the construction of an enclosed foyer around the main entrance to the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, financial assistance towards the construction of the Methven Play Centre and towards the establishment of a children’s recreation area. Many other organisations have also been the recipients of festival funds and this year the proceeds will be shared among three organisations — the

Methven Convent ParentTeacher Committee, the Methven St John Ambulance Brigade and the Methven High School Development Committee. PLEASANT DRIVE For those who enjoy a scenic view, the drive through the Rakaia Gorge via the Main West Road and Hororata, offers scenery which can only be described as spectacular. The improved road through the gorge has made the drive much easier for all who wish to travel through. The Floral Parade, which

will begin at noon, will include 12 floats, pipe and brass bands, marching girls, vintage cars, decorated bicycles and prams, is the highlight of the day and after the parade, which travels to the Showgrounds, the oflats will be judged by popular vote and the winner announced later in the afternoon.

This year the 12 floats have been entered by the following organisations.-— Methven Businessmen’s Association, Methven High School, Methven Lions Club, Methven Convent P.T.A., Methven R.S.A., Methven A and P Association, Methven Jaycees, Lyndhurst Community Centre, Methven Play

Centre, and the Methven St John Ambulance Brigade. Each float will carry one of the entrants in the “Festival Queen” contest

The “Festival Princess” is a photographic contest and entrants in this have had their photos displayed in shop windows throughout the Methven township over the last week, the winner being decided by popular vote, A full programme has been arranged to continue throughout the afternoon, including a spinning and knitting contest (from fleece to garment), a fancy dress competition, vintage car parade, pony rides, paraplegic sports display, entertainment by Te Wai Pounamu Girls’ College, “Miss Methven” contest, “Junior Miss Methven” contest, acrobatic and gymnastic display, plus jnany ring

events and other forms of entertainment.

Post entries are accepted for both the "Miss Methven” and "Junior Miss Methven” contests, with the junior event being limited to girls from 8 to 10 years. Last year Miss Robyn Harvey, of Mt Hutt, won the title of “Miss Methven’’ and Karen Cooksley, of Methven, won the “Junior Miss Methven” contest.

One display which is sure to prove a crowd pleaser will be the Maori action songs and other items which will be performed by the choir from Te Wai Pounamu Maori Girls’ College.

The Buckets Gymnasium acrobatic team will give displays of trick cycling, rope spinning, balancing, acrobatics and other novelty items. This should also prove a very popular attraction.

Much attention will centre on the spinning and knitting contest. Four teams, each of four persons, will spin the wool and then knit a pair of mittens and pixie cap. Speed, plus quality of work, will determine the winner of this contest. ART DISPLAY There will also be an Art Show conducted on the premises of a local firm adjacent to the showgrounds and such displays as pottery, seed mosaics, New Zealand gemstones, and dried flowers should attract a lot of attention. Also on display in these premises will be a striking mural based on Maori cave art depicting “the birth of life.” This was painted by Mr R. Wilson while teaching at the Methven High School. He is now touring Europe. The festivities of the day will conclude with a dance at night in the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall. This function has, in the past, proved extremely popular with the younger ages. The band for the dance will be the popular “Semitones.”