Robyn Munro, Tara Beleski, Savanna Adams, Georgia Trathen, Haidee van Zoelen, Mishka Tootell, Ashleigh Monopoli and Tessa Wright soak up Cider Fest 2018. Photo: Jonty Dine

Cider flows at Founders

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The wet weather made way for cider lovers at Founders Park on Saturday as thousands packed in for the third annual Cider Fest.

The celebration of cider saw about 2600 people descend on the festival – all hoping to taste the best ciders in the country.

Grace Hearn of Nelson Venues, which organised the event, says that it was a huge success, especially considering the forecast wasn’t meant to be great.

“On the day though the sun shone and that definitely helped.”

“Already we have had some great feedback from cidermakers and consumers.”

The region’s biggest supplier of cider boasted more than 80 varieties of cider on tap for the festival.

Newlyweds Benjamin and Lydia Pearce said the festival was the perfect way to end their honeymoon.

The Auckland cider lovers said their seven days in the cider capital of the country had been incredible.

“Today is our one-week anniversary, we spent our honeymoon in Nelson, went to Collingwood, Golden Bay and today is the last day, great to have a few drinks in great weather to top it off.”

It was a local celebration on Friday night too, as Peckhams, from Upper Moutere won the premium award at the New Zealand Cider Awards.

And Grace says next year is already booked in. The festival was just finalising the dates.