It's showtime for new fireworks extravaganza in Tauranga

Assistant News Director and Multimedia Journalist·Bay of Plenty Times·

24 Oct, 2017 01:09 AM3 mins to read

Tye Park Fireworks Extravaganza organiser Charles Harrison is looking forward to the Welcome Bay event, which promises to go off with a bang. Photo/Andrew Warner

A new fireworks show for Tauranga is just days away, with organisers hoping the community day will become a trusted annual event.

The Tye Park Fireworks Extravaganza will be held in Welcome Bay on Friday, November 3. Welcome Bay Lions Club and the Welcome Bay Community Centre have been organising the event, which received $10,000 from the Tauranga City Council's events fund.

Vice-president and event organiser Charles Harrison said they hoped to attract a couple of thousand attendees to the debut event.

"That would be nice. There are a lot of people who have shown interest in going," he said.

"I've personally heard from a few people who would normally go to the others but they've said they will come to ours, especially with it only being a gold-coin donation."

Proceeds from entry will go toward the Lions club after the event's bills are paid.

"There's no doubt that we want this to be an annual event if it goes as well as what we think it will," Mr Harrison said.

"On the whole, everything has come together pretty well.

"It will be a long learning curve for everyone this year and while it should be a good fundraiser, I think our main aim is to break even for this year and hopefully do a little bit better next year."

Organisers have enlisted a professional fireworks display artist who previously managed shows for the St Mary's Primary School shows. Pony rides, bouncy castles, amusement rides, food stalls and live music will also be on offer.

"We want this to be a really fun family day out," Mr Harrison said.

He said there would be a strict ban on alcohol and personal fireworks.

Councillor Bill Grainger, who represents Welcome Bay, said previous community days held at Tye Park had been successful and the area was "a beautiful place".

"I think this is awesome. I just hope that it gets good weather," he said.

"I'm looking forward to it, I'll be there and I hope the community will get involved too."

Welcome Bay Community Centre manager Anna Larsen could not be reached yesterday but previously said: "It is going to be great".

The Baypark Family Speedway Fireworks Extravaganza will also offer spectacular skies when it is held on Saturday, November 4. As will St Mary's School Taylor Bros Fireworks on the same Saturday.