Esplanade Day - sun shines on city’s free annual event

Again Esplanade Day proved to be an outstanding success with thousands attending the day at Victoria Esplanade on Sunday.


Highlights included the very likeable star of Kiwi Kitchen Richard Till, who by his own admission is an ‘enthusiast’ rather than a celebrity. Speaking to the large crowd who gathered to hear him talk and watch him cook (with the assistance of a crowd volunteer) the TV chef also judged the bacon and egg pie competition and attempted to pour a cup of tea in a digger.


The Manawatu branch of the NZ Contractors Federation held their annual competitions in conjunction with Esplanade Day and Richard was invited to get behind the controls of one of the big diggers.


Other guests included storyteller Mary Kippenberger and a special visit from Ronald McDonald who drew a big crowd of expectant children.


Event organiser Greg Latham said he was ecstatic with the turnout. Mr Latham said the steady crowd all seemed to be enjoying themselves, and the weather stayed fine. “It is such a fantastic venue, a real asset to the city, and to see so many people enjoying it is wonderful,” said Mr Latham.


“Everyone was really positive with the event with community groups enjoying the opportunity to show the community what they were on about. Various groups use the day to raise money, one group did a sausage sizzle to raise money for Relay for Life and they did really well,” said Mr Latham.


Organisers of Esplanade Day were keeping a close eye on the weather after a spell of rain and cooler temperatures on Saturday. “It’s always difficult with the weather but you just have to take the risk, thankfully Sunday was fine,” said Mr Latham. The good weather helped bring the crowds with an estimated 8-10,000 people coming through on the day.


Esplanade Day is part of the free summer events provided by the Palmerston North City Council.