‘Nice family time’ at stadium goes down a treat

About 2500 people poured into Forsyth Barr Stadium at the weekend for a fun family Christmas event, which included making gifts for others.

The annual "Christmas in the Stadium",  organised by the Acts of Kindness Charitable Trust,  ran from 2pm to 5.30pm on Saturday.

Trustee Anne Hardy said the event proved a "fantastic" success, attracting as many participants as last year.

The crowd was entertained by live music, including songs  by Dunedin soprano Olivia Pike, who was

"just outstanding", Mrs Hardy said.

Free fun activities included bouncy castles,  face-painting, and sessions offering help to make gifts.

The aim had been to bring people together from throughout the city to celebrate the lead-up to Christmas in a way that included everyone and avoided the excessive commercialism often involved, she said.

At the stadium there had been "no pressure", just a "nice family time".

The event was similar to last year, and 100 volunteers had again pitched in to help, she said.

Entry was by gold coin donation.

Some people felt excluded at Christmas, and the event aimed to include everyone equally.

"Community is really important, and all the members of our community are equally important," she said.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz