It’s hard to believe it’s been over two weeks since 11,700 people visited the 93 boats in the marina and the 60 boats and displays within the Viaduct Events Centre. The team has been busy following up the incredible number of positive emails, wrapping up the event and beginning talks about the future.
The New Zealand Maritime Museum kids zone was a huge hit (future sailors enjoying the activities right on our doorstep), along with the TUIA education display with Sonny and Tony plus the Te Toki Trust crew flat out each day with many people asking questions about navigating by the stars and voyaging. Plus, we’ve received great feedback on the various dispalys and exhibitors like Calibre Sails (sail making), Chains, Ropes and Anchors (knot tying), Boat Books, Johnny Wray Coffee, the Daring Trust, the William C Daldy, and Steam Engine Societies and wonderful ‘Michele’s Muster’ A celebration of Ron and Michele Copeland, just to name a few.
The 11 Speaker sessions held at the New Zealand Maritime Museum were almost full to capacity, including the Sunday 1pm panel session “Is there a sustainable future for classic boats," while the resonating answer was Yes there is but we need to work together a lot more - watch this space.
The number of visitors across the three-day festival exceeded all expectations (Michelle ordered 5,000 stickers — that says it all!), and we want to thank you all for attending and / or helping spread the word about the festival.
While the crowd included the Deputy Mayor of Auckland, Desley Simpson, and the many visitors from overseas. We also welcomed a multi-generational and diverse crowd and it was awesome to see so many non-boating people at the festival and on the dock.