Locals Loving New Local Events

There was no reason for families to have nothing to do in Invercargill over the weekend, with ‘Love Local’ at Stadium Southland one of the new events drawing the crowds.

The Stadium was filled with 86 stall holders and live music – including deputy Mayor Toni Biddle singing and playing guitar, and five other talented musicians.

ILT Stadium Southland programme and events manager Alex Morrision-Bailey said the weekend was a huge success and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

“We had three netball courts full of stalls.”

With the Southern Crafters Market usually holding their twice-yearly event in the Stadium, management thought they could fill the cancellation with another event, to help out and showcase local businesses.

“We’ve had lots of people asking us if we’ll do it again, and can we do it again,” Alex said.

“We definitely won’t close the door on it.”

Joy Brown, owner of Young Reflections, said she had two very busy days, and chatting to other stall holders, was keen for another event later in the year, before Christmas.

whatsoninvers.nz founder Mike Sanford said it was a “no brainer” to support the ‘Love Local’ event with $700 in kind promotion across its website and social media channels.

Meanwhile, downtown in Esk Street thousands of children with parents in tow, went wild on the huge range of free rides and activities for ‘Kids in the City.’

City Centre co-ordinator Shru Shrivastava said the place was packed with barely any room to move, but it was a huge success.

Just three weeks ago Great South was only just having conversations with the council about running an event to replace the ILT Kidzone, and then it was thrown together.

Shru said the event was literally organised in just a week, and because of how well it went, we’ll all need to watch this space for future ones.

As main media partner whatsoninvers.nz founder Mike Sanford said it was great to partner with ‘Kids In The City.’

“Shru and the team did a great job. Esk Street was abuzz with families enjoying the mild winter Saturday.

“Sunday the weather decided to not play nice, luckily we had the SIT Arcade,” he said.