Kids get on board with balloon fest

ROUGH AND READY: Children at Masterton Primary School, with their teacher Debbie "Dirty Cap'n" Carmen, get into theme to celebrate the coming of Peg Leg Pete, a balloon shaped like a pirate's parrot, at Thursday's start of the Wairarapa Balloon Festival.

Wairarapa balloon lovers will be forgiven for thinking the younger generation has gone a little pirate mad this week, thanks to a special themed week being held as part of the Wairarapa Balloon Festival.

To celebrate the arrival and the New Zealand debut of Peg Leg Pete, a giant 27m pirate's parrot-shaped balloon, children are encouraged to embrace the pirate theme.

The theme will continue during the whole festival which begins on Thursday with a mass ascension from Carrington Park in Carterton (7am start) and concludes on Sunday, March 15, with balloon spotting from the Masterton Town Square.

Wairarapa Balloon Festival marketing co-ordinator Mallory Dawes said school children and their parents are encouraged to attend the fun, family-friendly events held throughout Wairarapa in costume.

There are spot prizes for those who dress up in costume to attend the treasure hunt at Masterton's Queen Elizabeth Park on Thursday at 4pm.

"Having such an amazing and enormous special shaped balloon like Peg Leg Pete, flying overhead alongside all the other colourful balloons will help capture the imagination of everyone that sees it, big kids and small," said Mrs Dawes.

"As such we are holding a Pirate Pete Week and encourage people of all ages to adorn their favourite costume and talk like a pirate."

Pupils of Masterton Primary School got into the themelast week with a special Pirate Day.

Teacher "Dirty Cap'n" Debbie Carman said her pupils were excited about dressing up and answering to their pirate names at roll.

"We did a language exercise and brainstormed describing words and that's how they came up with their names.

"It's introduced new vocabulary and opened discussion in to how people behave," she said.

Pupils said they were excited about the festival.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Pirate Pete because he's really big and can fly like a real parrot," said Mason Gadd.

As part of the pirate week businesses have come on board with restaurants Apache Jacks and The Farriers offering special kids menus while the 10 O'clock Cookie Company is doing a special brunch for the week and dressing the shop.

Another festival highlight is the Trust House Night Glow Show at Solway Showgrounds on Saturday night. This is the jewel in the crown of the festival, where tethered balloons glow like light bulbs and brighten the night sky in a dazzling show choreographed to music.

Last year's Night Glow was cancelled due to wind.