An Unforgettable Summer Festival!

Gribblehirst Summer Festival shone on Saturday 31 January! It was a day packed with excitement, laughter, and community spirit. With perfect weather setting the stage, we welcomed so many visitors to enjoy a wonderful afternoon filled with live music performances, free family-friendly activities and a colorful marketplace.

Thanks to support and funding from Albert-Eden Local Board, this free event offered something for everyone. Here are some of our highlights, captured by ArthursSnapz.

A view of our picnic area and outdoor marketplace

Thoughtfully curated by Holding Space Aotearoa, our Main Stage was graced by a range of acts including the Songwriters 4 Climate Action collective, Kra KoTo Kra drumming ensemble, the legend Fiona McDonald, folk duo Shootin' in The Dark, and DJ Ivan who closed the festival with some funky tunes.

As with our previous events, a major highlight of the festival was the drumming workshop, which invited participants to learn basic rhythms and techniques.

New to our community was celebrated kiwi vocalist Fiona McDonald and her ukulele. She had the audience in fits of joy as she encouraged them to sing along to some classic songs to promote her Singalong with Fiona series of events.

It was great to have this level of interaction with the performers and a willing audience of all ages.

This was our biggest market day yet! With over 25 stalls spread across our indoor and outdoor marketplaces, it was great to see a wide range of stalls selling handmade crafts, plants, unique gifts and even free stuff! We loved seeing the colourful displays of jewellery, artwork, clothing, and specialty foods.

Food is something we always look forward to at a festival, and this time we had a great range of options for people to try. Thanks to Tamra Dates, KiwiCream, Wild Campers Coffee, Nusa Kitchen, Mang Crinkle, Japanese Riceburger Bond and Pastels for sharing so many delicious treats with us! By the end of the day, some of our vendors had even sold out!

Our Free Activity Zone gave kids (and kids at heart) an opportunity to express themselves with face painting, art and craft activities. We also had large wooden games, bubble machine, and a bouncy castle (big enough for adults) to keep people entertained. Thanks to EcoBalloons, Facepainting by Theresa, Pohū Arts, Kia Ora Nihongo Kids Club, Auckland Central Community Shed, SPiCE, and Mt Albert Library for keeping our young attendees entertained and engaged.

Our mission for this event was to celebrate what's great in our community. The event succeeded in bringing the community together, offering a space where people could connect, create, and celebrate. Whether it was through the joy of live music, the thrill of trying drumming for the first time, or the delight of discovering unique marketplace treasures, attendees left with lasting memories.

The festival also highlighted the importance of supporting local artists and small businesses, creating a positive impact beyond just a day of fun.