It’s time for dad to escape gorilla duties
He’s frightened parents, entertained kids and even slipped on a banana peel once.
And now, after 15 years, Grimace the Gorilla is retiring from New Plymouth’s famous park to focus on his own family.
Grimace, whose identity has always been a well-kept secret, has just two appearances left at the TSB Festival of Lights in Pukekura Park, after 15 summers swinging in the trees at the New Plymouth District Council-run event.
His second to last appearance is tonight and the other is on January 16.
After that he will retire and it’s not certain the park will ever get a gorilla again. Any replacement will need to be comfortable with heights, have an affinity for bananas and be able to always maintain a cool head.
‘‘The first night it was horrible,’’ the man behind the mask said.
‘‘It was hot. I actually didn’t have any water with me. I had left it down at the bottom of the tree.’’
He has a lot of tales to tell from his decade and a half gallivanting in Pukekura Park’s trees, and he’s managed to keep his identity a secret from most.
One night he left a party early to get to the park, and that same group of people came wandering past the Grimace’s platform later that night, completely oblivious.
On another occasion, he thought playing bagpipes would be a fun idea.
‘‘But after the first tune, the chanter fell out, and I was left up the tree with just a set of bagpipes doing nothing.’’
Another night, he was left wondering how long he was meant to be up the tree.
‘‘I just kept going until there was no more people.
‘‘All the lights went out. I had to actually get out of the tree when it was dark. It was pitch black.’’
But safety is at the forefront of Grimace’s appearances. He arrives early to make sure everything is ship-shape.
‘‘I always thought that the last thing I want to be is that gorilla that ends up in some pushchair.’’
Over the years, he’s watched toddlers grow into teens as they returned each summer.
But now it’s time to take a step back and put family first.
‘‘I’ve got kids that need a dad during the summer holidays. The last 15 years I’ve been tied to the park.
‘‘Who knows, when they leave home you might get a surprise visit from a silverback.’’
Festival organisers have said they are considering options for what or who could take Grimace’s place next year.
Grimace has promised to reveal his identity once he retires next week.