RSA upset at Erotica expo

BY JONATHON HOWE

Palmerston North residents will rub shoulders with porn stars, nude bikers, and scantily clad strippers, when the controversial Erotica Lifestyles Expo returns to Manawatu after a two-year hiatus.

The sex-themed expo came to Palmerston North in 2005 and 2007, and it will return during the Anzac Day weekend in April next year.

About 13,000 people attended the first two Palmerston North expos, which featured strip shows, porn star interviews, sex product displays, and the Boobs on Bikes motorcycle parade.

The expo harbours controversy wherever it goes, and next year's show will be no exception, with military veterans already up in arms about the event's timing.

Palmerston North RSA president Gary Griggs said he felt deflated after hearing news that the expo was scheduled for Anzac weekend – a time when New Zealanders honoured the men and women who served their country in wartime.

The date of the expo could be upsetting to some veterans, he said.

"I don't think it's the appropriate day to hold an event like that.

"I can't speak for all veterans but I think they will not be condoning those sorts of activities on that day.

"It's not my scene for sure but to hold it on that particular day ... it will have a very dampening effect."

But the Expo's assistant event co-ordinator, Leanne Osborn, said the timing was coincidental.

"It was actually the only weekend we could get." The event would usually be in March, she said.

The controversy surrounding the expo was often based on people's misconceptions about the adult entertainment industry, she said.

"People don't understand the industry and for whatever reason they are judgmental of people in the industry.

"Everything we do is legal and the people we work with are amazing."

At a previous Palmerston North expo, a protester paid the $20 entry fee, only to be swiftly ejected when he caused a scene.

"He told us we were all going to hell but funnily enough he went over to the area where all the porn stars were."

The need to spread the expo around regional areas was the reason for the two-year break from Palmerston North, Mrs Osborn said.

"What we do with the regional shows is have one in the North Island and one in the South. Palmerston North has always been really good.

"It's a little show for us but we've always been well supported."

The star attraction at next year's show will be large breasted model Chelsea Charms, who claims to have a bust size of 153XXX.

"She's lovely and a really amazing person."

Talks were also under way with American adult film star Audrey Hollander and two other unconfirmed adult stars.

HAVE YOUR SAY
What do you think about the Erotica Expo in the city?
Write to the editor at PO Box 3, Palmerston North, email editor@msl.co.nz (include names and addresses),  text to 0274981242, or leave your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News