23 March 2014
Big Day Dowse - Big Crowd Pleaser
The sun shone as the crowd of thousands enjoyed a final summer fling at the Big Day Dowse in Lower Hutt on Sunday 23rd
March. The annual event proved to be a crowd pleaser with all ages enjoying the free entertainment and activities.
Courtney Johnston, Director of The Dowse Art Museum says the day was a great success. “Big Day Dowse is one of Hutt City
Council’s key summer events. We were thrilled that the day was picture perfect and a real party atmosphere. It’s
terrific seeing people moving between the gallery and the events in the Square. One dad I was talking to in the gallery
had brought his 18-month-old daughter today: he told me he hadn’t visited The Dowse since he was at school. That’s
exactly what Big Day Dowse does – draws people in and gives them a new reason to connect with us.”
Between the music acts in the Square, the audience was entertained by The Wellington Circus Trust which featured the
circus stars of tomorrow from The Wellington Youth Circus, while Empress Stilt Dance Butterfly enthralled young
visitors. Inside the galleries there was a steady bustle of visitors taking in the exhibitions and in the courtyard, The
Amazing Travelling Photo booth captured the smiling faces of the day.
The Troubles warmed the crowd up at midday as picnic makers and families made the most of the late summer weather and
some took the opportunity to try out their dance moves. As the relaxing and chilled out day progressed they were joined
by new revelers keen to check out the bands. As Warren Maxwell from Trinity Roots said to the convivial crowd, “The sun
is shining on Lower Hutt today”.
Big Day Dowse
FREE
Sunday 23 March 2014
12noon – 6pm
Dowse Square, Laings Road, Lower Hutt
ENDS