Two iconic Coromandel events vowing to return

John Hare with an exhibitor at a previous Whangamata Lions Craft and Farmers Market. Photo / Alison Smith

Two iconic Coromandel events are off the calendar due to a late call on Covid levels this year - but both will return.

The Whangamata Lions Craft and Farmers Market won't happen at Labour weekend but is all go for January 30, 2021.

Tairua School's major annual fundraiser, the Tairua School Wine and Food Festival, has also cancelled its January event for the first time in 25 years.

Like volunteer organisers on the Wine and Food Festival committee, Lions market organiser John Hare says it was a difficult decision to make.

"We made the call three weeks ago on 14 September, as the decision needed to be made a month out. At that time there was uncertainty in the public about large groups, and Lions being a socially responsible group felt that we couldn't in all conscience go ahead and be the instigator of what may become a focal point for a new Covid cluster."

He said the iconic event, which draws thousands of people and stallholders from as far as Taupo and throughout the Waikato, would be back.

"We can start building up to it now. It's better to build forward and get full public support from the stallholders, public and the Lions, and we'll be on for 30 January."

John said most Lions members were getting older and wanted to stay clear of any risk around Covid-19 themselves at a large indoor event.

"Maybe us older ones are more fearful of Covid, but being cheek to jowl in the Whangamata Memorial Hall, I'm glad the board made the decision [to postpone]."

Tairua School Wine and Food Festival organiser Kristin Allison said the committee decided it was unfair to the many volunteers to plan for an event that may still have had to be cancelled due to a rise in lockdown levels.

It would return in December 2021 and continue to provide extra funds, resources and programmes for the school.

Many events are going ahead this spring and summer on the Coromandel.

- For up to date events listings follow our What's On column or visit Destination Coromandel at www.thecoromandel.com/events.