Rarotonga’s annual Christmas in the Park has enjoyed its “best turnout” in years with more than 2000 people coming together for an evening of festive cheer. Joanne Holden reports.

The Cook Islands National Auditorium was packed inside and out for the Christmas celebration boasting food vendors, games, and entertainment from 12 acts including carollers and performance groups on Thursday.

“It was the best turnout we’ve had over recent years,” Rotaract Rarotonga president Byron Brown said.

“There were a lot of kids and happy families. All the food vendors sold out very fast. It was as full as you can get.”

About $9000 was raised through door sales and, with entry for children under five being free, Brown estimated more than 2000 people attended the event.

Dreamworks and Disney characters, including Minnie Mouse and Elsa, entertained the children during the event. Photo: Joanne Holden/23121517

He attributed the higher turnout, compared to the past three years, to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions bringing more visitors to the island and a “lucky” break in the weather.

“In previous years, it’s just been raining every day and that has put a lot of people off coming.

“Yesterday (Thursday), the sun came out for the first time this week. It just shows that if it’s a nice day, people turn out.”

Benjamin Raela paints the face of Piri Tixier, 7, at Rarotonga’s annual Christmas in the Park on Thursday. Photo: Joanne Holden/23121516

Brown said the proceeds from the evening – which cost about $10,000 to run, including $4000 for a three-minute fireworks display – would be pumped back into community projects such as Cook Islands National Youth Council events.

The Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade had already benefited, receiving a donation of $200 from door sales.

Master of ceremonies Teherenui Koteka talks to children in the audience between acts. Photo: Joanne Holden/23121519

Brown thanked master of ceremonies Teherenui Koteka and musician Jarome Pare and his band for exciting the audience between acts, the volunteers who were “pretty stretched” from the unprecedented turnout, Mike Henry for the fireworks, Excil Shipping for helping transport decorations and set up the stage, and the rest of the sponsors.

Platinum sponsors were Maritime Cook Islands and Vodafone Cook Islands. Gold sponsors were Island Craft, Perfumes of Rarotonga, and Cook Islands News. Silver sponsors were Cook Islands Building Supplies, Nick Reeves, and CIC Ltd.

Supporting sponsors included the Ministry of Cultural Development, Puaikura Fire Brigade, Raromart, CIPS, Vonnias, Rotary Rarotonga, Moana Minerals, General Transport, Bank of the South Pacific, the Tupapa Committee, and the Tropical Christmas Committee.