Nelson Masked Parade A Triumph Of Creativity

The Port Nelson Masked Parade on Friday night was a triumph of creativity and optimism, forging head amidst wet weather into a sunny evening where Nelson was at its best – children shone, music played and people danced in the street.  
 
Nelson City Council Festival Creative Director Annabel Norman said the parade this year was a fitting tribute to its founder Kim Merry, who died in August.
 
“We really wanted this year’s parade to commemorate Kim and the value he placed on the community celebrating together,” she said. “Thanks to the support of schools and other groups it was a wonderful tribute and showed the special legacy Kim has left us: Nelson has an event with a unique spirit – something money just can’t buy.”
 
Kim’s friends under the banner ‘The Merry Men’ won awards for the Best Community Band and the Family Supreme Award, while a new award, the Merry Makers’ Mask Award, introduced to keep alive Kim’s commitment to creativity and to adults embracing the spirit of the Masked Parade, went to long time parade entrant and supporter Karl Wulf.
 
Kim’s daughter Georgia Merry (8) won Everyman Lip-Sync with a Michael Jackson tribute.

Record crowds stayed on for the More FM Carnivale and danced to the big sound of Kiwi samba band Batacada Sound Machine.
 
Other parade awards:
Preschools: Daring Diversity, Kopuawai Te Kohanga Reo; Creative Unison, joint winners, Richmond and Nelson Montessori; Interesting Interpretation, Waverley St Kindergarten.
Schools: Daring Diversity, Nelson Central; Creative Unison, Mapua School; Interesting Interpretation, Hampden St School.
Community/Business: Daring Diversity, Shin Stretcher Stilts; Creative Unison, Nelson Academy of Dance; Interesting Interpretation, Awesome Theatre.
Individual: Supreme Award, Greta Tapper; Judges Pick, Sam Slade.
Family: Judges’ Pick, United Nations.
Strongest Vocal Group: Auckland Point School.
 
The Nelson Arts Festival continues with theatre, music dance and talks until Labour Weekend. Tickets are selling well and shows to date have all been well received, with North South and The Butler getting standing ovations from packed houses.
 
There is free school performance in Trafalgar St all week as part of Westpac Red Square, and the next big free community event is the Family Finale on Labour Day Monday.
 
The Nelson Arts Festival is produced by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an attraction for visitors.
 
ends

© Scoop Media