Manfield 2009 Fireworks tomorrow night postponed

A NIGHT of heavy rain has left organisers of the Manawatu Fireworks Spectacular with no choice but to keep their powder dry for a further week.

Manfeild is just too rain-sodden for the display to go ahead tomorrow night, says Manfeild chief executive Heather Verry.

“At least 40mm of overnight rain has overwhelmed us. The park is very wet to the point where parts of the circuit were flooded this morning, but the real issue is that the parking areas become unusable for the time being.

“We have postponed to our reserve night, November 4, and hope that the grass areas we need to use for parking will have dried out by then.

“It’s unfortunate but there’s nothing we can do about the weather. The rain last night was incredibly heavy and it’s had an inevitable toll.”

The Fireworks Spectacular is traditionally one of the biggest annual public events in the Manawatu and tipped to draw another bumper crowd this year.

A display by a World War II Spitfire fighter, stunt driving, fast laps by a Toyota Racing Series car, performers with flaming pois, food stalls, a sideshow alley ... and, of course, a giant bonfire and the largest, most spectacular fireworks display in the region are on the programme.

The night is easily the single-biggest event hosted at Manfeild Park, attracting between 15,000 and 20,000 attendees. The park can comfortably take such a big crowd.

The organising committee mainstays are Manfeild Trust, Kairanga Lions and Feilding Promotion but other groups are involved on the night.

It's a true community event that involves the entire region. Money raised is dispensed to a wide variety of charities.

Any outdoor event is always at the mercy of the elements - in 2006 it was postponed until December.
Mrs Verry reminded that the night was alcohol-free and asked that pets not be brought along.
Admission is $5 per adult, $2 per child (of intermediate age or younger).