By Rick Stoker

New Zealand singer and guitarist Te Ketu has won the Port Village Shopping Centre Street Art and Music Festival at this year’s Carnivale.

Ms Ketu won a $500 worth of shopping vouchers for her achievement.

Runners-up The Kroovs took out the the second prize of $150 in vouchers, while third-place getters Benny and Clones receiving vouchers worth $92. 

The finals of the festival were held at the Port Village Shopping Centre during their Village Market Day on Saturday May 24th after a full week of performances entertaining the local shoppers and tourist visitors from 11am to 8pm everyday through Carnivale.  There were 22 performers throughout the week from Vaudeville clowns to street jugglers to all sorts of musical contributions and street theatre.

So making the finals was quite an achievement.

The judges were Miss Carnivale Princess Katie Brown, Port Village Shopping Centre Manager Helen Seale and Carnivale 2014 general manager Roy Weavers.

The Master of Ceremonies was much-loved drama teacher Nicole Carnaby.

All participants were thanked, with Ms Carnaby telling the crowd that “judging was very difficult” due to the high standard of performances.  Ms Carnaby said, "I am delighted to say that every single performer has confirmed they'd love to come back next year".

Carnivale GM, Roy Weavers said, "We are thrilled that everyone was so positive about this new series of daytime events.  We're looking to make the whole event even bigger for next year to build on this years success.  So we look forward to seeing all this years performers again plus a whole lot more to join them!"