Newspaper Article 1971 – Fantasyland festival for school holidays

Fantasyland Festival for school holidays

A Fantasyland festival week will be held from August 23 to September 2 in Hastings to raise money for more attractions at Fantasyland.

A feature of the week will be a Fantasyland mayoral contest for young people.

On Saturday, August 28 picnic day will be held at Windsor Park at which TV entertainers will entertain.

The organiser of the week is the Crest-Birdseye Fantasyland Committee, led by Mr R. Stalker.

In the mayoral contest young people taking part will earn votes by carrying out tasks set by the committee.

The person earning the most votes will win a prize, yet to be decided on.

Mr Stalker said that when the Motorama, which was going to be held to raise money for Fantasyland, was cancelled, the committee offered to plan a fund-raising promotion.

The only period available was during the August-September school holidays.

The committee decided on the first week so as not to interfere or detract from ‘Blossom Festival activities.

The committee yesterday met the mayor, Mr R. V. Giorgi, council, Fantasyland, Greater Hastings and retailers representatives.

The meeting approved tentative plans put forward by Mr Stalker. The council and Greater Hastings offered their support and use of facilities.

RETAILERS ENTHUSED

Retailers were enthusiastic about the proposed promotion and would assist in selling the idea in their own organisations.

Although not represented at the meeting, manufacturers had responded favourably to initial approaches, said Mr Stalker.

From August 23 to September 2 the committee planned to have activities which would entertain all school-age children, both primary and secondary. They would feature hobbies, activities, a host of competitions and prizes.

Mr Stalker said he could not give details of these yet as people had to be approached concerning them.

From 10am to 5pm on Saturday, August 28, at Windsor Park, a picnic atmosphere would be created.

“To ensure a successful day we have engaged television entertainers with high appeal to children from 5 to 105 and this with competitions and prizes will ensure that children will want to attend,” he said.