Editorial: Show proves it can succeed

The Ignite Hot Air Balloon Festival was a huge success for Tauranga, despite a few issues in the implementation.

The Ignite Hot Air Balloon show appears to have been a victim of its own success.

As reported in yesterday's paper, a massive crowd turned out for a hot air balloon event in Tauranga on Saturday - causing lengthy traffic delays and forcing organisers to turn away some enthusiasts.

While some had positive feedback about the show, others were annoyed by the long queues and lack of toilets in place for the event at Tauranga Racecourse. About 3000 people, not including children accompanied by adults, went through the gates. Some had to be turned away because of the size of the crowd.

One of the organisers, Stephen Spargo, said they were happy with the show but acknowledged the traffic queues, parking and the number of toilets available on the night needed to be addressed. There were six toilets stationed across the site but some were badly placed so people did not know they were there, he said.

Organisers had received positive and negative feedback and would hold a debrief before deciding on whether the event would go ahead next year.

Tauranga woman Jen Durham, who attended the event, said the fact the crowd exceeded organisers' expectations showed there was not enough to do in Tauranga for families "because as soon as there is something, everyone goes".

It's a good point. Judging by the size of the crowd that turned out for the show, there is certainly a demand for family events in the Western Bay.

This was also an inaugural show, so there would have been difficult for organisers to foresee just how many people would turn up.

Hopefully, the organisers will not be put off by some of the issues that arose this year. The sheer size of the crowd shows such an event is needed in the Western Bay.

If the issues that arose on Saturday night can be addressed, there is every chance the event will become a regular feature on the event calender.