Gypsy fair may move again

Gypsy Fair field manager and shooting gallery owner Gavin MacKenzie at the new fair site on Anderson Park, Napier. Photo / Warren Buckland

Organisers of Napier's Labour Weekend gypsy fair and mardi gras are awaiting the outcome of their final day today before deciding whether they'll be back again, after having to give-up a prime site on the Marine Parade beachfront.

The move, to Anderson Park in Greenmeadows, came about after new landscaping of the beachfront reserve as part of a Marine Parade redevelopment, including a contoured mound and a water feature on the former land the fair had occupied for the holiday weekend each year.

Shooting gallery operator and former air force armourer Gavin MacKenzie, who started life on the fair circuit as a craftwork trader about 20 years ago, said he had hoped the fair could have been relocated to an area south of the National Aquarium.

But he said he was told last month the venue would be the park, taking the attractions away from the higher profile of the Parade and its access for backpackers and other holidaymakers.

The same applies to the rides and sideshows of Taupo-based amusements operator David Mooney, who has run alongside the fair for several years, and completed his annual overnight shift from the Hawke's Bay Show in Hastings to be ready for opening time at Anderson Park on Saturday morning.

The gypsy fair has used Anderson Park as one of three Napier and Hastings venues on its circuit each year, and successfully, Mr MacKenzie said.

But he said if the Labour Weekend experiment does not prove to have been a success the operators and families - usually numbering over 70 people - might have to "look at another venue".

"Ever since at least the Victorian times, festivals and fairs have been synonymous with beachfronts," he said.

The fair runs from 9am to 5pm today, and Mr MacKenzie expects organisers and operators will then discuss whether or not they are happy with the site for Labour Weekend each year.