Art Deco launch draws thousands

Thousands attended the Sileni Estate Festival Opening at the Napier Sound Shell as part of the Tremains Art Deco Festival last night. Photo/Duncan Brown

Thousands flocked to the Napier Sound Shell in their vintage finest last night to celebrate the official opening of this year's Tremains Art Deco Festival.

The 30th festival was launched with the Sileni Estates Festival Opening which followed an opening night Soiree at the MTG with dignitaries, organisers, sponsors and other guests.

At the sound shell, the crowd was treated to the Brebner Print Memorial Flying Displays, the Navy Ceremonial Sunset, entertainment and speeches with Napier Mayor Bill Dalton officially launching the big weekend.

Festival director Glen Pickering said the event was a wonderful way to celebrate Napier's history as well as commemorate the 1931 earthquake.

"It is an incredibly special festival, not just for Hawke's Bay but for New Zealand.

"What we see out there is the fun and celebration but there is actually a much deeper heart to it."

The stories behind the earthquake were what made the festival so special, he said.

Mr Dalton said the first few days of the festival, which started on Wednesday, had been brilliant.

"It's absolutely fantastic, we've been spoilt with the weather.

"It's started off well and it's going to continue, it's great for Hawke's Bay."

A highlight for Mr Dalton was seeing seven Bentleys arriving in Napier from the United Kingdom.

The Gloucester Bentley Drivers, a group of 16 with seven Bentleys and a Rolls Royce, brought the cars over especially for the festival and had been enjoying a month long trip around the country.

"I just loved seeing all the Bentley cars arriving. I'm a vintage car man," he said.

Another positive moment for Mr Dalton was walking through Napier's CBD in his Art Deco gear and seeing all the smiles on people's faces.

"It's just fantastic everyone gets out and enjoys it."

John Hall, from Gloucester Bentley Drivers, said the group were thoroughly enjoying their time in Napier.

They tried to go somewhere new every year and had planned to go to Greece or Turkey but came up with the idea of venturing further afield by bringing their vehicles to Napier's Art Deco Festival about 18 months ago.

The one Rolls Royce in the group would not be able to take part in the today's Vintage Car Parade because it was made in 1958 but would gather some interest due to being the Queen Mother's old car, he said.

Art Deco Trust general manager Shane Gorst said the weather had certainly been a stunning bonus to the event as opposed to 2017's rain and wind.

"It's great to see the good weather return to the festival after last year."

One highlight this year was a new event, the Junior Gatsby Picnic which had 1000 Year 4-8 students dress up for a fun-filled afternoon on Thursday similar to the main Gatsby Picnic.

"We'll be doing it again.

"We're happy to be able to bring even more community events this year."

Sponsor Simon Tremain, of Tremains Real Estate, said he was also "stoked" with the sunny, warm weather which had made a big difference to crowd numbers.

The festival had started well and improved each year, he said.

"It's just so busy, it just really seems to get better and better."