Region revving up for rock ’n hop weekend
Gavin Ladbrook has been busy polishing up the chrome on two of his classic cars ahead of the third, and biggest, Hospice South Canterbury Caroline Bay Rock and Hop.
The Timaru man will display two cars from the large collection of vehicles he has restored over the past 40 years in this weekend’s fundraiser.
He will join the thousands of people expected to converge on the Bay on Saturday and Sunday when the rock ‘n roll fundraiser revs up for another year.
Hospice South Canterbury fundraiser Jeanna Munro said vehicle registrations, which last year reached 932, closed on Tuesday morning as the number had reached capacity – 1000.
‘‘We closed the online registrations and people could only register at the office [Bidwell St] and it was crazy in the office on Monday,’’ she said.
‘‘We registered 30-odd vehicles on Monday.’’
Entries had been received from throughout New Zealand with one registration pack sent to Australia, she said.
However, it won’t be known how many vehicles will take part in Friday night’s popular main street cruise through Stafford St, Timaru, and surrounding towns, as people enter on the night. Last year 700 cars took part and thousands lined the streets to take in the action.
For Ladbrook, Friday night will be his first time taking part in the event’s cruise. He is usually helping with the parking of the vehicles on the Bay before they leave for the main street drive.
He will drive his 1931 Chrysler Cabaret Roadster and his wife, Marilyn, will be behind the wheel of their 1938 Dodge Coupe.
‘‘I’m looking forward to it,’’ he said.
He has been on many rallies and has been involved with helping at the Rock and Hop since its inception.
‘‘It’s a great event for the town.’’
Ladbrook’s first restoration project, a 1922 Dodge Tourer, still sits proudly in his large garage – along with a range of other vehicles.
‘‘It’s a good hobby and it’s not only the restoration but also about going out on rallies and getting the family involved.’’
He said he prefers classic and vintage cars as they ‘‘have good character’’.
‘‘The modern car is just a flat bit of tin.’’
On Friday the cruise will leave the Bay from 11am, returning to Timaru at 2pm.
A Rock and Hop main street party will begin in Stafford St at 4pm with the main street cruise starting at 6pm.
A main street rock and stop party will begin in Temuka’s main street at the same time.
The Friday night ‘‘Wear Your Parts’’ catwalk show in the Caroline Bay Hall will be followed by a band and dance.
Vehicles will be parked up at Caroline Bay on Saturday for public viewing from 10am, plus more than 100 stalls operating with music through the day.
The Saturday night ‘‘Rock Your Socks Off’’ party in the Bay Hall is sold out, although the South Canterbury RSA and Timaru Town and Country Club will also run dances.
An Aoraki Development report provided by Infometrics last year, found that the second Caroline Bay Rock and Hop generated spending of $2,962,717, with an estimated $1,102,752 of this considered as extra spending in South Canterbury over the three-day event.
‘‘The modern car is just a flat bit of tin.’’ Gavin Ladbrook