Rotorua Daily Post

Bike festival opening has lots of action

- Shauni James

The bustle and excitement of the Rotorua Bike Festival is just around the corner, with less than a week until opening night.

Rotorua Bike Festival director Megan Dimozantos said she felt a mixture of nervousnes­s and excitement.

“It’s a bigger event than what it’s been in previous years.

“I’m really excited to see how that comes together and there’s also a degree of nervousnes­s with that as well.”

She was looking forward to the opening evening — a festival in its own right — and thought it would make a good statement about the Rotorua Bike Festival.

The opening will include the Velocity Valley Freestyle AirBag Big Air Comp, there will be children’s artwork on display, stilt walkers, unicyclist­s, an Amjazz performanc­e and a Rotorua Boys’ High School kapa haka performanc­e. Skyline and The Hits will be there, too. The festival would have something for everyone, Dimozantos said.

“It’s about celebratin­g the community through biking, not necessaril­y celebratin­g bikes.”

Debbie Guptill, Velocity Valley Freestyle AirBag Big Air Comp event organiser and Velocity Valley sales and marketing manager, said the event was free to watch.

She said there would be a massive 6m scaffold drop and ramp which enabled tricksters to attempt aerial tricks before landing on the freestyle airbag.

“It’s pretty spectacula­r to see this at the Village Green and show the talent we have in Rotorua.” For more informatio­n about the festival’s programme go to rotoruabik­efestival.com.

 ?? PHOTO / BEN FRASER ?? Rotorua Bike Festival director Megan Dimozantos encourages the community to head along to the festival.
PHOTO / BEN FRASER Rotorua Bike Festival director Megan Dimozantos encourages the community to head along to the festival.
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