An event to be held in Oamaru next month promises fun for the whole family.
An Oamaru ‘‘Harbour Family Fun Day'', organised by the Waitaki District Council, is to be held for the first time on February 21.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said working with different groups, including the Waitaki Aquatic Centre and House of Breakthrough Church, the event would include music, sandcastle building competitions, a beach dig and food.
Bouncy castles and slides would be set up on land and, in the water, it was hoped one of the Waitaki Aquatic Centre's large inflatables would be set up in the harbour.
The event was weather dependent, and organised around the tides.
‘‘We're looking at having a bit of a staggered start [from about 11am]. We need low tide to do the sandcastle competition and beach dig, but we don't want low tide when the inflatable is in the water,'' Mr Kircher said.
He would like to hear from any not-for-profit organisations or groups interested in having a fundraising food stall at the event.
‘‘Essentially, the whole concept of it, is to be a free, or cheap, day for families ... people can just turn up and have a good time,'' he said.
‘‘The kids can come down, they can use all the inflatables and things at no charge. [Families] can bring a picnic with them, or they can buy food there.''
Mr Kircher floated the idea with council staff last year and, after a positive response, organisation began.
He hoped it could become an annual fixture or lead to other opportunities around the district.
Anyone interested in being involved in the event can contact Mr Kircher at gkircher@waitaki.govt.nz.
