Motorhomes come to town
With names like Lodafun, High Time, Our Wilderness Palace and Cantering Around — particularly appropriate for its racecourse location — the owners of the 110 Motorhomes and Motorbusescame to Woodville at Labour Weekend for a good time.
And a good time they had. The Lower North Island Motor Caravan Association has an annual rally somewhere in its region, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Mana-Whenua (Manawatu and Horowhenua) and Wellington.
Each sub-association takes turns to host and Wairarapa chose Woodville for its venue as it had great facilities. Organiser Gerard Murray says it was a real feather in the cap for Woodville competing with the likes of Masterton.
A busy programme was laid out for the visitors, beginning with a formal opening on Saturday at 10am when, after the presentation of Motorhome Association Flags and membership awards, Mayor Tracey Collis welcomed the visitors.
She said they were appreciated for the value they brought to the district in contrast to some other parts of New Zealand.
Gerard Murray outlined the programme, promising one day of sunshine and offering to turn off the fans on the Ruahines if it became too windy. The weather more than came to the party for the whole weekend.
A free shuttle bus took groups from the racecourse into town each hour on Saturday and Sunday, stopping at key venues like the Pioneer Museum, the Lindauer Studio and Visitor Centre across the road, the Untamed Opossum Factory, Settler’s Cemetery and the shops and cafes. Businesses did well, especially the cafes but also the small boutique, second hand and antique shops which as one woman commented were not found in the city.
There were games on Saturday afternoon and after dinner a band entertained while those attending dressed in fancy dress to the theme Windfall. The Salvation Army Super Store did a roaring trade in second-hand clothes.
With a market on Sunday, more shopping and sightseeing and a concert in the evening during which anyone could entertain, the days were full.