Parachute music festival founder asks for help

The founder of the Parachute Christian Music Festival, Mark de Jong, has called on festival goers to help fund future festivals.

Speaking on Mainstage at the Mystery Creek event this morning Mr de Jong, who founded the festival 22 years ago, said he would tell the crowd of thousands later about why last minute cut price tickets had been offered at the event as the media reporting of the offer had got it wrong.

Earlier, at a media conference, Parachute media liaison Luke Oram told journalists more than 700 cut price tickets had been sold to struggling families who would otherwise struggle to attend the four day event which finishes on Monday.

Up to 28,000 attend the event each year, but numbers look to be down this year.

Organsiers were offering weekend passes, which usually sell for $465, for donations of $1 or more. 

“Before festival there were just upwards of 700 families,” Mr Oram said. “We are very involved in justice and social change.”

Mr de Jong said:  “Our country needs us. Pop culture seems to be the medium through which people get their values.” 

Taking up a collection in aid of Parachute’s mission, to promote Christian musicians and their message, Mr de Jong recognized the 2,500 festival goers who support the charity with donations of at least $15 per month.

“I’d like every Parachute Supporter to stand up,” Mr de Jong said. “You guys are awesome. Thank you. We would not be here without you.

“This weekend we need 500 more supporters. Just do to what we have got in front of us this year.

“You give regularly to Parachute. It starts at $15 a month. If you think this festival is important. We need you to invest in it. If it’s going to carry on we need you to invest in it.”

Everyone who joins up this weekend will get half price on next year’s festival.

Parachute Music’s second five year contract with Mystery Creek Events Centre expires next year, and details of the festival’s future after that are yet to be announced.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First