All welcome to Marina Day
Sailing sessions, a fishing competition and go-carts are part of what’s on offer for children at this year’s Bay of Islands Marina Trade and Community Day on November 26.
For the grown-ups there are some serious savings on stuff for the boat, treasures for the taking in a Rotary car boot sale and the chance to win a free 12-month mooring at the Bay of Islands Marina.
The family-focussed fun day is held each year at the marina in Opua.
This year residents can also take a peek at the expansion work happening there and the development of the new recreational waterfront being built.
The $13 million expansion will add 173 rental berths to the 250-berth marina and create around 70 jobs.
It will also feature a timber boardwalk esplanade and landscaped recreational area.
Bay of Islands Marina manager Jason Chubb says ‘‘it’s all still very much a work in progress but it should give people a good idea of what the end product will look like.’’
Proceedings kick off at 10am and wrap up at 1.30pm with a prize-giving ceremony.
Opua Store and the Opua Cruising Club will be selling food and drink.
The event is the culmination of the 10-day All Points Rally, a gathering of yachties from around the Pacific featuring social events, seminars and activities designed to promote the Far North as a sailing and holiday destination.
‘‘We hope people will wander on down to look at what’s on offer and to bask in the vibe of the thing,’’ Chubb says.
‘‘It’s always a fun few hours out with the family; local businesses and service providers do a great job of making sure there’s always something of interest for everyone.’’
Stall-holders include Bay of Islands Marina, Bay of Islands Coastguard Bay of Islands Marine Centre, Bay of Islands Boatyard & Marine Painters, Bluefix Marine, Burnsco, Doyle Sails, Garhauer Marine, NZ Stainless, Opua Canvas, Opua Store, Project Island Song, Seapower, 36 Degree yacht brokers, Trans Marine Pro, Marine Electrics and some of the Paihia market stall holders.
For more information go to www.facebook.com/events/ 319999998373755/