Playing with fire

The Malcolm Flowers Taupō Winter Festival is in full swing with Taupō’s very own fire artists adding to a spectacular opening evening.

Alektra Entertainment put on two shows on Friday night and were so popular they have been invited back for more performances on Friday and Saturday.

Festival director Nicola de Lautour says the festival couldn’t have got off to a better start.

“Friday night was amazing, really good feedback. It was cold but it is a winter festival. But the good thing is it gets dark earlier.”

This weekend is the More FM Midwinter Swim and Champagne on Ice presented by Sotheby’s International Realty.

More than 200 people are already signed up for the black-tie event but tickets are available.

Nicola says the only negative was some vandalism at the light hub in the early hours of Sunday morning.

An information light box was damaged and a couple of lights were pulled down.

“It didn’t affect the rest of the light hub, it was still on every night, just extra work. A couple of guys were down there for a few hours on Sunday to get it back on track but it was very disappointing.”

Police are investigating.