The Riverton Blues and Jazz festival in February 2025 promises to inject that summer carnival vibe back into the community.
Passionate local Jaimee McCabe is part of a new committee organising the inaugural event at Taramea Bay.
Walking along the beach two years ago with her fiancé, Jaimee noticed how quiet the town had become, despite it being more touristy - she knew something was still missing.
Reminiscing the days of the summer carnivals at the old soundshell when the town was buzzing with visitors, she decided to recreate that vibe through a new community event.
“Riverton used to be so vibrant in the summertime. I have such awesome memories,” she said.
The last summer carnival was held back in 2003 and the soundshell was removed in 2016 as it was proven to be earthquake prone - so instead of spending $4000,000 making it seismically sound, it was demolished.
But thanks to a grant from the Aotearoa Gaming Trust, the big stage is coming back this summer, with a line up of blues and jazz artists from Dunedin south - including some of Riverton’s very own talent.
The event had originally been planned for 2023, but because the toilet block onsite was being demolished, the committee had to can that idea and move it out two years.
More than 27 local business sponsors have been involved in making the festival happen from both Riverton and Invercargill, and tickets finally went on sale at the start of the month.
“I’m just overwhelmed by the support. We just really want to bring this place back to life. It’s such a tourist destination now," she said.
The event will be held on February 22, 2025 from 11am to 7pm, buy tickets bluesandjazzbythesea.com/tickets