Thousands expected at festival

A new three-day music and arts festival at McLaren Falls is expected to attract 10,000 people to the Western Bay.

A new three-day music festival to be held at McLaren Falls in January is expected to draw 10,000 people.

The McLaren Falls Music and Arts Festival will take place at McLaren Falls Park between January 10 and 12, 2016.

The festival would present artists from the United States, Australia and Europe who would perform on the event's three stages but organisers would not comment when asked if any headline acts had been booked.

Festival director Paxton Talbot, who has also worked in director roles at Glastonbury and Rhythm and Vines, said the event would fill a spot in New Zealand's festival calender.

The festival's line-up of local and international artists will provide a mix of genres ranging from pop to rock, folk and blues, he said.

The festival will also feature markets and workshops as well as a glow-worm forest and lakeside camping.

"We want to bring together people from all ages and walks of life to an event that is culturally rich and inspiring," said Mr Talbot.

"People can relax, they can get wild, they can dance, they can hang back and soak it all in."

Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson said the council was excited to learn the festival was happening.

"Events such as this provide great entertainment options for Western Bay residents. They also attract many visitors to the district and this benefits our local economy.

"The Western Bay council supports tourism and events because we know that visitors spend money on food, accommodation, travel and entertainment when they're here."

Director of Mauao Performing Arts Centre Ross Shilling said the festival was exactly what the Bay needed.

"I think it is a great vision that somebody has had. Everybody is looking for it - for things to do, for more bands to come to town, for more dancing."

Mr Shilling said he was "over the moon" the festival was happening.

While performing arts was getting recognition, encouraging people to get involved was hard work, he said.

"It is a little bit hard because people are a little bit conservative in this town.

"The only way to encourage all age involvement is to get the youth involved."

Tauranga Art Gallery marketing and media co-ordinator Martine Rolls said the combination of music and art would be great. "Any festival is good for our town and it's at a beautiful location. There is a public for all of the different forms of art and it's good to bring them together. I think it will attract a range of people from our community."

The line-up will be announced in August with tickets going on sale from August 17 at www.mff.co.nz.