Last month, organisers of the Pounawea New Year’s Eve Fireworks Event said it would be their last year running the event, having failed to find anyone to take the helm — despite more than two years of trying.
The event was taken over by the Pounawea Picnic Group in 2012, since which time a small core group of Pounawea crib owners have organised the family-oriented New Year’s Eve event, which attracts up to a thousand visitors each year.
Group spokeswoman Annette Moore said she and her friends had enjoyed running the event, but were "getting on in years" and could not continue.
"Because we have it down to a fine art, we can still just about do it, although it’s been an extra effort this year as we had thought last year was our last.
"By the time we’d talked to various people who were considering taking it over, we’d become committed to another year.
"But this will definitely be our last, as we’re not actually here next year."
Earlier this week, Mrs Moore said a local person who had previously shown interest in taking over had resumed talks with the group.
"Nothing is confirmed as yet, and we’d still welcome other expressions of interest.
"We had heaps of people coming up to us this year saying they don’t want to see it go, but not many willing to actually take it on, although we had excellent volunteer help this year."
About 1000 people attended the latest event.
Mrs Moore said its closure — having run in some form since 2000 — would leave a "big hole" in hundreds of people’s hearts, and their enjoyment of the summer holiday.
"It’s become quite a fixture for people, who come from all over having heard about the unique, relaxed family atmosphere and our excellent fireworks.
"We like to think we punch above our weight and compare favourably or better than some of the main Otago centres."
Fellow group member Dianne Begg said the group remained happy to share its knowledge, contacts and resources with anybody "serious" about taking the event on.
"We’ve done our dash, and are stepping aside now.
"Anybody who likes people, loves the Catlins and enjoys giving a little back to their community would get a lot of pleasure from taking it on, just as we have over the years."
She said it did not take a huge amount of time or effort.
"Most of it is done from about 4pm on the day, then tidying up on New Year’s Day.
"And then be prepared to share your new year’s celebrations with up to a thousand other people.
"When you see the smiles on the youngsters’ faces, it’s all worth it."
