Mountain mardi gras plans under way

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 676, 4 March 1997, Page 12

Mountain mardi gras plans under way

Those who at tended a public meeting at the Powderhorn Ghateau last Monday heard that planning is well under way for a bigger and brighter 'Mountain Mardi Gras'. The event was launched

last year to provide a boost to the area following the eruption. The Mountain Mardi Gras will be on 2 August along with the 'Ohakune Carrot Camival' . The Carrot Carnival has been an annual event for the past 12 years, providing

a wide variety of entertainment in celebration of the carrot harvest, Ohakune being 'The Carrot' Capital of New Zealand. Sponsorship will be sought to ensure a quality event. Activities planned include street entertainment, live bands, a wide variety of quality food and a comprehensive prize list. A co-ordinator and extensi ve advertising programme will ensure that this event is known throughout the North Island. Committee A working committee to organise the Mardi Gras was established consisting of Steph Rollinson, Murray Swan, Linda Netten, Cath Campbell, Trish Smart, Adrian Murphy, Janet Swan and John McCarthy. When calling for volunteers for the Mardi Gras committee chairman John

McCarthy stressed that having a committee structure did not niean that those not on the committee were excluded from participation. 'This is not about 'chiefs andindians' . Having acommittee is about facilitation and organisation. The real work and the success of this event will come from the

community and its involvement." He went on to say that in his belief an annual event such as this offered good value for the sponsorship dollar given the high profiles associated with outdoor adventure activities which were a 'Hallmark' of the Ohakune area.