A crowd of noodle lovers descended on Baring Square East on Saturday for the Hakatere Noodle Festival, a celebration of the district’s multicultural community and Welcoming Week.

Council’s Group Manager of Democracy and Engagement, Toni Durham, said while it was exciting to see the event grow each year, the real highlight was the strong sense of community connection it created.

“Amazing food from all around the globe is our focus of course, but our team also worked hard this year to incorporate local stories and interactive activities into the event."

One highlight was the Welcoming Ashburton exhibit which shared the experiences of eight people who moved to Ashburton and made it their home.

“It was really rewarding to see visitors engaging with those stories and leaving with a greater appreciation of the value that newcomers bring to Mid Canterbury,” said Toni.

The display was supported by the Ashburton Guardian and remained in Baring Square for several days following the event. Attendees also flocked to More FM’s family zone, where lawn games kept kids entertained throughout the evening

Elsewhere, visitors were invited to paint self-portraits on three large canvases. The finished artwork, Faces of our Community, features around 75 different portraits and will soon be displayed in the Ashburton Library.

Toni Durham says the collaborative artwork was just one example of what made the Hakatere Noodle Festival so special.

“It’s a celebration of food, but also of who we are as a district, welcoming, diverse and connected.”