SEA OF FACES: Families can now afford to join thousands of others at Parachute Festival from January 27 to 30.

Families given unique chance to attend festival

In the wake of a financially tough 2011 and low ticket sales, Parachute Festival organisers are offering ‘Pay What You Can Afford’ family passes to any family who would like to go to the Festival but can’t afford it.

This initiative will give struggling families an opportunity to attend the Festival at Mystery Creek from January 27 to 30 at a price of their choosing.

Parachute Founder Mark de Jong said the last few years had been tough for the purse strings of Kiwis, what with the earthquakes that devastated Christchurch and the global financial crisis.

“We’ve had a lot of feedback from families who want to experience our festival together, but due to tough economic times, simply cannot afford to do so”, he said.

“Late last year we met as a team to brainstorm ways to react positively to the tough economic climate that families are experiencing but we think that challenging times like these call for creative solutions. After much deliberation, we came to this realisation: it’s more important to have them experience our festival than it is to have the income from their ticket. We want them to experience a great, family-friendly drug and alcohol-free event.”

Families can now attend the event for a donation of their choosing (minimum $1).

Traditionally, Parachute Festival family passes cover two parents and up to three children — there will be no limit on the number of children included, provided they are all immediate family.

Pay What You Can Afford tickets are available from now until the festival. Families that can’t afford a normal ticket will also be able to buy passes at the gate on festival weekend for a donation.