GALA FETE OPENS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 83, 31 December 1937, Page 6

GALA FETE OPENS

Thrills and Entertainment for Hastings SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS TO-NIGHT The first attempt at such entertainment in Hastings for some time, the monster gala fete which opened last evening at Nelson Park, met with a success and public interest that augurs well for the success of the main programme this evening. The organisers of the fete, the Hastings and District Progress- League, in conjunction with the Hastings Citizens' Band Committee, reaped the result of their careful preparation, and in presenting to patrons last evening an enjoyable and varied programme, have sown the seeds of success for the final night of this fete, and for the institution of the entertainment as a regiilar annual holiday feature in Hastings. Holiday crowds are notoriously fickle, and their demand for entertainment at the Christmas and New Year period is along the lines of wanting a little of everything. In the varied programme presdnted last evening, the organisers can feel well-assured that they gave, through their programme, the variety that was wanted. Thrills were also catered for, in the most spectacular feat of the evening, that of the motor cyclists riding their machines through hoops of fire. This item was held over until darkness would make the display more impressive, and then two large iron hoops, erected in the midjile of the enclosure at the park, and thickly -surrounded by inflammable material soaked in kerosene, were lighted. In a few minutes, both hoops were blazing furiously, presenting rings of leaping flames, in the light of which the motor cyclists could be seen approaching over the level grass at top speed through first one and then another of the fiery arches, and the applause of the spectators echoed their approval of the demonstration.

Portion of the grounds had been leased for the purpose of running sideshows,- and the line of .these stalls attracted a large number of the visitors, who were obviously enjoying themselves in the tests of skill and luck offered. Children were attracted to the chair-o-plane nearby. During the evening, varied amusing competitions, such as sack races, wheelborrow races and bun-eating contests, provided amusement to both adults and children alike, culminating in a hilarious chase after a greasy pig. The fete is. scheduled to conclude tonight with a special fireworks demonstration that promises to be of spectacular interest, the releasing of speci-ally-ordered fire balloons — an exhibition that will prove an entertainfhg novelty to most Hastings residents — and the celebration of the end of the Old Year and the arrival of its successor. Results of competitions and games arrangtd during + .2 evening were as follow: — Sack race, boys under 16 years. — Cowley 1. Wheelbarrow race, boys under 16 years. — Devoy and Bourgeois 1. Bun-eating contest, girls. — Miss Lucas 1. Sack race, girls under 16 years. — Pat Lane 1. Greasy pig contest. — "Snowy" • Wilson 1.