With well over 10,000 visitors flowing through the gates of Mazengarb Reserve the 2022 Kāpiti Food Fair team say they are thrilled with the turnout and thankful for the gorgeous day served up on the beautiful Kāpiti Coast.
With the sun shining, visitors indulged in a day filled with food, drinks, and entertainment by talented performing artists who warmed the crowd up for the headlining act. Early acts were Play On Words, In The Shallows and the Julie Lamb Outfit, before Aotearoa Music Awards Tui Winner for Best Country Artist, Jody Direen and her band had the crowd enraptured on the Tuatara Stage.
At the Sustainable Foods Kitchen Stage, world-famous local chefs – Kyran Rei of Sustainable Foods, Lance Meynell, the 2022 NZ Masterchef top 10 competitor who presented in tandem with Ben Wakefield of Kaibosh Kāpiti, and Fiona Greig of Sunday Cantina, all shared inspirational tips and tricks to foodie Fair goers. Buskers and aerial performers stunned and mezmerised everyone in the ZEAL Zone.
Event co-owner Helene Judge says it was a massive day and one “we’re still joyfully recovering from and what was cemented for us, is the fact we are Kāpiti’s largest major event which makes us both feel immensely proud.
“Every year, we endeavour to make this event one of the best to showcase the Kāpiti Coast, as well as highlighting amazing food products, drinks, and more to our local and regional crowds. This year was absolutely magical and a day that we won’t forget for a very long time.”
Co-owner Jeanine van Kradenburg says the day was non-stop from the moment they opened the gates.
“With the return of our kitchen stage and an entertainment line-up including talented local rangatahi solo artists from ZEAL, the Kāpiti Community Choir, and the Colossal NZ young circus performers in the ZEAL Zone, and with big bands on the Tuatara Stage, this attracted crowds from near and far on the day.”
Ms Judge says they had a 150+ crew with them this year.
“There are many people and different organisations involved doing important jobs at the Fair. Kāpiti Rotary help with our logistical set-up, the ATM and at Gate Entry; the No 49 Squadron Air Cadets are our waste busters; the Paraparaumu College Parent’s Association helped with set-up and collecting gold coin parking donations; and Work Ready Kāpiti were magnificent ticket scanners and runners.”
“In addition, we had a large team from ANZ Paraparaumu who worked hard in the Ticket Office to issue tickets to those visitors who had not pre-purchased online. Each one of our crew worked tirelessly behind the scenes alongside us to make the event a super fun day for everyone – we thank them hugely for their efforts and commitment to the Fair. It was because of them, our community, our vendors, our entertainers, and our amazing sponsors that Jeanine and I were able to roll out the Kāpiti Food Fair this year in super style.”
Sponsors of the Fair are: PLATINUM: The Chris and Melinda Leatham Charitable Trust; GOLD: NZME Kāpiti News and The Hits 92.7; SILVER: Mike Pero Mortgages Zebunisso Alimova, SignCraft Kāpiti, Sustainable Foods – Plan*t, Templeton Group, Tuatara Brewing; BRONZE: ANZ Paraparaumu, ANZIL, Flightdec; And the Fair has been a recipient of the Kāpiti Major Events Fund since 2016. “Our Sponsor relationships are hugely important for the future sustainability of the Fair,” commented Helene.
