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Snow at barbecue icing on cake
- Ten-year-old Kahjeal Pawa speeds over snow in Whangarei during the Smeaton Dr community barbecue on Saturday. Picture: Michael Cunnigham/Northern Advocate
01/12/2008
by Mike Barrington, Northern Advocate
Eight tonnes of snow and free food brought the Christmas spirit to the Whangarei suburb of Raumanga early at the weekend.
Youngsters who have never before seen snow were thrilled by a truckload of it which Northland Quality Flakes Ice Supplies provided at a reduced cost for the fourth annual Smeaton Dr community barbecue, held on Saturday.
"The kids were gobsmacked," said the event's organiser Kim Anderson.
"They didn't know what to do at first, but once they figured it out, there were heaps of snowballs thrown and they were powering down a snow ramp on boogie boards."
Meanwhile, organisers wearing Santa hats dished out fruit kebabs, buns, cheese, barbecued sausages and other food to the 300 people who turned up for the show, which included a tug-o-war, coconut shy, sack races, lolly scramble, dance and singing contests and a bouncy castle.
"It was an awesome day all about celebrating our community, anti-violence and cherishing children," Ms Anderson said.
"People were surprised they did not have to pay. They really appreciated it because it was so unexpected."
Everyday Communities contributed $1000 for the celebration in Smeaton Dr, a formerly rundown area of the city where Ms Anderson has led efforts to restore community pride.
Other major sponsors included Toll United, Hire Equipment Supplies, Housing NZ, Bunnings and Ngatihine FM.
The community barbecue officially ran from 10am until 2pm, but plenty of snow remained in the mid-afternoon so the fun continued for local children who made good use of it.
