Tempting fete or tempting fate.

Not willing to risk another washout event, organisers of the Centrewood Spring Fete have pulled the pin on Saturday's event - temporarily.

Event organiser Jo Sutherland has been left wondering what she could have done to upset the weather gods so much that it was looking as if their third annual fete planned for this Saturday would again be a washout.

The gods sent down "four seasons in a day" for the inaugural festival two years ago.

The fete was held a week later last year in an attempt to ensure better weather, only for the heavens to open, and numerous visitors to end the day having their vehicle towed out of the muddy car park.

This week started well for the organisers - 130 stallholders from throughout the South Island had signed up, and Mrs Sutherland was aware of visitors from as far as Christchurch and Dunedin who were planning to meet at the event. Then she saw the weather forecast. Monday's was great, promising a fine day for Saturday. Tuesday's forecast suggested rain, and by yesterday morning it was clear the weather was promising a repeat performance of last year.

"We want people to have a lovely day, not a cold, miserable time."

So the decision has been made. Good bye Centrewood "Spring" Fete, hello Centrewood Fete on hopefully a much more warmer November 22. Mrs Sutherland hopes getting away from having "Spring" in its name will also get the festival well away from changeable spring weather.

She spent yesterday contacting stallholders, and they all agreed with the postponement.

"If all goes well we will keep it at that [November] date. It is nearer to Christmas [for gift buying] and it should be warmer."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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