Good fun and good times at Bay Dreams

Bay Dreams 2017 organisers Mitch Lowe and Pato Alvarez.

REVIEW: SunMedia journalist Zoe Hunter shares her experience about Bay Dreams.

The forecast was for wet, wet, weather. So it rained and it poured. Last year's forecast was the same. It seemed to be the curse of Bay Dreams.

But the partygoers were all in denial. T-shirts and shorts and summer hats were worn – not a rain jacket in sight, just the odd poncho to keep semi-dry.

It's supposed to be summer after all – and the sold-out Bay Dreams is shaping up to be ‘the' party of the summer. The crowds may have left soaked, but still with a smile.

Presented by Audiology and Pato Entertainment, the New Year's newest festival in Bay of Plenty entertained a crowd of thousands at ASB Bay Park Stadium on January 2.

Set across four stages was one of the best festival line-ups of the summer, with big acts including Shapeshifter, Sticky Fingers, Peking Duk, Katchafire, P-Money, Bizzy Bone, Kora and much, much more.

It was hard to peel away from the mosh pit for a drink refill. At least there was no long waits to quench the thirst.

Credit to the organisers Pato Alvarez and Mitch Lowe, who arranged two areas to purchase drinks inside the arena and out – each manned with plenty of staff to avoid long lines and waiting times.

Discredit to the blonde girl, who thought it was ok to push in line – and to the bouncer who allowed it. 'See, I'm allowed to be up here,” the blonde girl said. I'm a blonde-haired girl too, I didn't realise we had special push-in-line powers. But we'll move on.

The only other little niggle I have would be having to wait like sardines in long lines to load our bracelets up with money. Being just 4ft9 short, it's not particularly nice standing under everyone's armpits in a confined space. But I guess that's no-one else's problem, but mine.

And looking at the ladies' faces inside the ‘bank' booth, I immediately felt appreciation for them. They looked hot and bothered but it was still service with a smile.

On the brighter side, the security manning the toilets did a fantastic job of keeping everything in order and lines moving at a steady ‘flow'. The rules were: Girls with cans weren't allowed in, girls without cans were – but in small groups at a time careful not to ‘overflow' the toilet area.

All in all, Bay Dreams was a great way to continue the New Year festivities.

Let's cross our fingers for a fine forecast for 2018 – but if the tradition of rain keeps coming, it doesn't look like it's dampening anyone's spirits. Make sure to be there next year!

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