DRESSED FOR IT: Shaun and Cilla Wilson, above, await the start of the SBS Pacific Party at the Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival.
The clouds parted just as two of Hamilton’s main summer events got under way last night and the worst of the wet stuff is tipped to bypass the rest of the region’s big weekend of outdoor events. Although Hamilton and the Waikato were drenched by rain yesterday, early-evening starts of the More FM Winery Tour and the SBS Pacific Party at the Waikato Times Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival were clear. About 2500 people flocked to Mystery Creek Winery for the , which featured performances from Opshop, Anika Moa and Dave Dobbyn. Event promoter Brent Eccles said all eyes had been on the skies as the rain looked like forcing a postponement. “It was a very tough call to make it was really miserable here earlier,” said Mr Eccles. “It’s turned out all right. We’re happy, and we’re having a good time.” Two large marquees were set up to give shelter to the crowd, many of who came prepared with tarpaulin, gumboots and chillybins of food.
But the weather is set to improve today and tomorrow as the rain peters out to scattered showers amid fine spells.