By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
IF you see a gNOme or two walking the streets of Tecoma next month, don’t be surprised.
Organisers of the annual gNOmeageddon event are hoping you will see almost 500 of them, as they attempt to break the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as garden gnomes.
The gathering aims to combine peaceful protest with community spirit and fun for many Tecoma residents that continue their fight against McDonald’s.
GNOmeageddon chief Esther Kelly was heavily involved in the protests against the opening of the franchise.
She said the event celebrated the loyalty and tenacity of the people of Tecoma.
“If anything, it’s not going to be a massive protest day,” she said.
“It’s going to be a community event where our kids will get to have a bit of fun with all these familiar faces that we’ve been meeting for the past three years up at the site, under these terrible conditions.”
Inspired by her two daughters, Esther developed the idea as a way to engage the community in a fun and appealing way.
“I thought – How do we continue to engage? How do we keep the community together and keep it focused and give something back to our kids? I think they deserve to have a bit of fun and this is a great way to do it.”
Adhering to the Guiness Book of World Records’ requirements for dressing as a garden gnome, female gnomes will need to wear a solid coloured or patterned dress with an apron, shirt and skirt with suspenders or a pair of overalls. They will also need to wear boots and a pointed hat.
Male gnomes should be wearing a collared shirt and vest, brightly coloured tunic and belt or a pair of overalls. They will also need to wear boots a beard (real or fake) and a pointed hat.
The event will kick off at noon on 19 April at the Upwey Hall. As well as the record attempt, the day will involve a community barbecue, DJ and kids’ space and the official count will take place at 2pm. All are invited to join and encouraged to dress as a gnome to be involved in a potential world record.
She said the success of previous years was testament to the strength of the community in Tecoma, and was hoping that this year’s event would attract the 479 gnomes needed to break the record.
“The way the community supported the campaign against McDonald’s was unbelievable, and now we’ve seen the same spirit in gNomeageddon,” she said.
“We’ve got a great community and the way we support each other through events like this is just further proof of that.”
