Flower power to the fore

BLOOMING LOVELY: Jade Reiri (left) and Tamara Hearn had heaps of fun picking daffodils during last year's festival. PHOTO/FILE

Everyone enjoys the Daffodil Festival in Carterton - but is it good enough to take out the Local Government NZ (LGNZ) excellence award for community event of the year.

Carterton District Council has made the application to LGNZ citing "located in the heart of Wairarapa, Carterton's popular annual festival offers an abundance of activities ranging from the famous daffodil picking at Middle Run, art and craft markets, the Big Wai Art sale, the opportunity to sample local products and the popular Daffodil Express Steam Train

"Over 4000 visitors from far and wide mark this event in their calendars as their family day out is full of fun and laughter."

The event was originally created to complement the Daffodil picking event at the Middle Run Farm in Gladstone, which started in the 1950s.

Alfred and Mary Booth opened their field of daffodils to the public as a fund-raiser for the Carterton Plunket Society.

The event started to gather interest and soon visitors from outside the district and international visitors started to attend, highlighting an opportunity for the council to partner with other local organisations and create a festival which would complement the district and what was collectively on offer.

Carterton Mayor Ron Mark says the festival reflects a positive interaction between council and community.

"Today, Carterton's successful annual Daffodil Festival is a wonderful example of how a district council can, by partnering with its community service organisations combine its skills and resources with their energy, local knowledge and commitment to their community to provide a well-oiled event that provides life, vitality, economic return and a absolutely wonderful day out for the thousands who attend."

The winner will be named on July 22.