Big turnout expected for community festival

PRIDE OF PLACE: Martha Manaena and Makuini Kerehi, REAP co-ordinator of the annual Whiti Te Ra festival being held at McJorrow Park on Saturday. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Allcomers have been invited to share in the pride of place that will embody the seventh annual Whiti Te Ra Festival on the east side of Masterton on Saturday.

Makuini Kerehi and Martha Manaena, event organisers and Wairarapa REAP workers, said up to 600 people are expected to enjoy a full bill of entertainment, activities, and food stalls at the McJorrow Park festival, which starts at 10am on Saturday.

The inaugural Whiti Te Ra Festival was held in 2007, Mrs Kerehi said, and year after year the smoke- and alcohol-free event had promoted a central theme of "community pride and spirit".

"It's about building community pride and celebrating something that's cool, that's ours. And it's an opportunity for visitors who would not usually come along to visit and share the celebration with us."

She said organisers had struggled to populate a planned card of sporting events for the Top Streets - Streets of the Eastside contest, which will run only if full teams turn out.

Melbourne-based performer and youth worker Sammy "J" Johnson will headline entertainment at the festival, which will also include ukulele performers Marama Mete-Smith and Rangitunoa Black, a Hip Hop dance contest, and a Best Chocolate Cake competition that will be judged by the manager of a Masterton bakery.

A $500 cash prize will be the main prize for the day and will be up for grabs in an inaugural singing competition called Motown Classics, where contestants choose their favourite Motown artist to cover.

"We already have Aretha Franklin coming along, Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas, The Temptations and the Supremes. They will all be here."

Also at the festival will be a display and stall, she said, that explores some of the Maori history of the area that embraces Hiona Marae, Mangakuta and Makoura.

Major sponsors of the event include Lands Trust Masterton, Masterton District Council, Te Puni Kokiri and Prime Community Trust.