Ready for Spring Fling
Tickers are on sale now for the fourth annual CHB Spring Fling.
Designed to showcase the best of CHB's wine, food, culture, adventure and history, this year's festival boasts 31 events across September, October and November.
Festivities start with the popular Taniwha Daffodils display starting from September 1, weather-permitting, and the CHB Festival, a four-day hill-top celebration of art, markets, food and wine set in the grounds of the former tuberculosis hospital at Pukeora Estate from September 6-9.
Favourites also coming back include the Fast ‘n' Furious Trolley Derby, First Sunday Funday and Old English Garden Party at Chapelwick Coastal Estate. This year also marks a special occasion for O¯ tane School, which will celebrate its 150th Jubilee with a street parade, carnival, dinner and dance and closing ceremony over Labour Weekend.
This year's festival will also feature some famous faces, with celebrity chef Jo Seagar launching her new book Better Than a Bought One at O¯ tane during the festival, while renowned Kiwi musician Hollie Smith lights up the stage when she headlines Soundz over the Lake at Backpaddock Lakes in Takapau.
New events this year include Stop and Shop, with shops open late in CHB and packed full of special demonstrations and deals, while Wallingford Homestead is hosting and Tea and Tour Time at their spectacular grounds.
CHB tourism coordinator Jenna Mabey said she was thrilled with the Spring Fling event programme.
“It's fantastic to see events returning from previous years, and with new operators, event managers and keen locals coming on board, it's shaping up to be a very exciting and diverse programme.
“There is so much to discover in Central Hawke's Bay so it's great to not only invite visitors into the district, but also remind locals of what we have right here in our backyard.”
Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said the Spring Fling kept returning “bigger and better each year”.
“Spring in Central Hawke's Bay is second to none, and The Spring Fling is the perfect opportunity to really showcase this part of our region.
“It's truly a testament to all the incredible operators and locals who band together to make The Spring Fling so successful each year.”
Spring Fling is an initiative of Hawke's Bay Tourism, CHB Promotions, and Central Hawke's Bay District Council. A full list of events and ticket prices is at thespringfling.co.nz