Valentina Averamenko (left) and Natalia Troubetchkova and her daughter Skyla, 10, show their floral purchases from the Gore Rhododendron Festival. PHOTOS: ELLA SCOTT-FLEMINGA clown, stilt-walkers and local musicians entertained those at the Gore Rhododendron Festival on Friday. Southland Rhododendron Group president Wendy Goodwin said despite a few sleepless nights, the festival went well. People bought plants from vendors and rows of competition rhododendrons were on display in St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Despite crisp sun in the morning, Mrs Goodwin said they watched the weather all day and it started to rain from 2pm.