Art Deco to celebrate 30 years

Tremains CEO Mark Callaghan (left), Art Deco Trust GM Shane Gorst and Art Deco Trust festival director Glen Pickering at the launch of the Tremains Art Deco Festival last night. Photo/Warren Buckland.

In among the vintage cars people celebrated the launch of the 2018 Tremains Art Deco Festival tonight.

The programme with more than 250 events is promised to be one of the best yet with the festival reigning in its 30th year in February.

Art Deco Trust general manager Shane Gorst said the festival was a celebration of the community's resilience, as they were not only commentating the 1931 community's resolve following the earthquake but also today's community.

"In 1989 when the Art Deco Weekend was first launched there were seven events with 14 vintage cars in a parade and the Gatsby Picnic had under 30 people attend."

"Now, 30 years on, we will have 300 vintage cars in the parade, more than 250 events and the Gatsby Picnic attracts more than 5000 people."

Art Deco Trust festival director Glen Pickering said what was remarkable was that the event kept on developing year on year.

"We are finding new ways to celebrate our unique heritage and make our story relevant. With so much inspiration from the 1920's and 30's era, we have chosen music to be a focus for the 30th anniversary."

Moses MacKay of Solo Mio and world renowned Jazz musician Nathan Haines are among the performers, who will provide more than 200 hours of music showcasing the era.

"Music wise we have got everything from big name starts right through to local youth talent. We've managed to attract some great kiwi headline acts and we are in discussions with more musicians."

The Great Gatsby Party is a new event next year, sponsored by Hawke's Bay Technologies, which will take over Mission Estate for the night.

The event is based on the well-known book and film 'The Great Gatsby', about a mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby who hosts extravagant parties.

"Think 1920's opulence, sophistication and a whole lot of fun- the guests are in for an evening like no other," Mr Pickering said.

Tremains CEO Mark Callaghan said the last five years of sponsoring the event had been "fantastic".

"It is getting stronger every year and the whole event is not only bringing people to the bay but is also encouraging people to move here as they see how amazing the event and region is."

This year the trust has partnered with Napier i-Site to manage accommodation, who will also monitor cancellations and offer to visitors who have contacted them.

Mr Gorst said as the largest event in Hawke's Bay accommodation did get booked up early so he urged people to book as soon as they could and not to forget other options such as Air BnB and the Motor Home campsite along Marine Parade.

The festival will run from February 14-18 and members can purchase tickets via iticket.co.nz or from the Art Deco Centre now and tickets will go on sale to the general public on October 4. For more information and to see the full programme visit: www.artdeconapier.com.