Music in the Mountains brought record crowds, bustling local activity and a surge of community spirit to Tapawera Area School over Nelson Anniversary Weekend.
Held by the Nelson Tasman Association for New Zealand Motorhome Association members, the three-day event centred on live music and a full programme of onsite and local activities.
This year’s headline acts included a Billy Joel and Fleetwood Mac tribute show, followed by Southern Sounds performers Phil Doublet, Vicki Downes, Aroha Williams, Madison Connor and Zak Griffith. Sunday night wrapped up with The Coyotes.
Event convenor Graham Wilson and his committee were proud of the weekend and thanked the local community, particularly the school, for being such welcoming hosts. The committee also acknowledged its volunteers and gave special mention to T-Mara, described as a total legend for her work as MC.
Final attendance numbers are always a moving target, with vehicles arriving late and others leaving early and the official tally kept under wraps until the committee’s final meeting. A quirky detail this year was the 200 campervans staged at the local Gun Club before gates even opened.
Music convenor Naomi says the event required a high level of professionalism, including employing a full-time sound technician and a St John Ambulance officer from Christchurch.
Returning attendee Kim, visiting from Central Bay for her second year, was pleased the sunshine held after a much wetter event last year. She spent her days biking to Tapawera township and out to Kohatu, stopping at Flat Rock Café, and says the Friday tribute show was the highlight.
John from Canterbury, a third-year regular, agreed, and says he particularly enjoyed the school pool and the Friday night lineup.
First timers Lex and Bev, from Havelock North, made sure to arrive early and joined the queue at 5am to secure a good spot. By Saturday lunchtime they still had not touched their bikes as they moved between activities including line dancing, morning teas, bike maintenance courses, fly blanket demonstrations and a walk-up concert backed by the band Slim Pickings.
The weekend delivered a major boost for local groups. Meals were provided by the Rugby Football Club and Sport and Recreation Society, Friends of the School hosted morning teas, and the local book fair proved popular. The Tapawera Visual Arts Society also had strong visitor numbers and reported solid sales of local works.
Overall, on-site fundraising brought in just under $16,000 for community groups. Local businesses benefited too, with 1,402 adults and 12 children swelling Tapawera’s population to more than four times its usual size.
The school’s 25 metre pool was another drawcard. Kathy from the Nelson Tasman Association completed 40 laps in one session, while about 320 people used the pool across the weekend.
This year saw 774 registered vehicles, the second-highest total in the event’s history. The final count was boosted by 110 first timers, 151 dogs, one bird and 10 cats.
Next year marks the event’s twentieth year, with the 2022 cancellation due to Covid-19 meaning 2027 will be the official anniversary. The committee is planning memorable activities and is advising early registrations.
