Long weekend of festival fun brewing
Rotorua is set to be a hive of activity this long weekend with a range of events on offer from a beer festival to a bike festival, and everything in between.
Okere Falls Store is hosting its 11th annual Beerfest and its sellout Saturday event will be packed with locals and visitors.
Okere Falls Store owner Sarah Uhl said extra staff would be in place and everyone was excited and “ready to roll”.
Uhl said the success of the event had continued to grow since its inception and the “same recipe” would be used this year.
On the menu would be beer tasting, traditional German cuisine and live entertainment.
But Uhl said the event was not all about drinking beer.
“It’s about a festival, the food, the music, it’s a real celebration,” she said.
If it’s fresh air and exercise you’re after, this year’s Rotorua Bike Festival has started and there are plenty of events on this weekend to get the community’s legs spinning.
Ride the Runway, one of the festival’s crowd favourites, is on tomorrow.
Organiser Mark Leishman said he was excited and looking forward to the event, though it had been slightly hectic making sure everything was in place.
He said Ride the Runway was a fun family day out.
“It’s a cool open place to ride with a smooth track and no cars.”
He said there would also be fun things to do off the runway, including a skills area for children, a reverse steering bike challenge, inflatable bouncy slide and castle, coffee carts, DJ Rio and Mercury Energy bringing out its electric bike demonstration fleet.
Leishman said it was cool to celebrate the opportunities biking could give people through the festival.
“It’s really important to support the events because we’ve got some great people doing great things.” For more information about Rotorua Bike Festival events go to rotoruabikefestival.com. Another event in Rotorua this weekend which will draw crowds to a number of locations is Pistang Pilipino 2018. It is a Filipino festival of sports and culture, and this will be its fourth time it has been held in the city. The sports in this year’s festival include basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, badminton, 10 pin bowling, darts and billiards. There will also be a cultural and talent evening, Miss Philippines-NZ 2018 finals and a food festival. The food festival will have 16 stalls, a bouncy castle and a concert. It is being held in front of the Rotorua Museum today and tomorrow. All daytime activities throughout the weekend have free entry. Evening events have tickets available from Ticketmaster.
For more information on the weekend’s programme go to pistangfilipino.org.nz.
Enjoying lake scenery and checking out stalls is also on the cards at the Lake Tarawera Spring Fair tomorrow.
It is an annual event with stall holders selling all sorts of items, including plants, crafts, clothes, wood work and educational products.
Destination Rotorua executive manager of visitor services Graham Brownrigg is expecting Rotorua to be busy this Labour Weekend.
“I think there will be lots of people out on the lakes and people coming for day trips from our neighbouring regions.”
He said the weather was looking good, which always had a big impact on Labour Weekend.
Brownrigg said Rotorua’s location and proximity to other regions was one factor which made Rotorua a popular destination.
He said accommodation was filling up fast.
“I would say our lakes are a big drawcard for people, and the forest is a huge drawcard as well in good weather, particularly for mountain biking.” Saturday-Sunday
Pistang Pilipino 2018 sa Rotorua (Philippine Festival 2018 in Rotorua). Many venues around Rotorua, including food festival and entertainment at Government Gardens. More information at pistangfilipino.org.nz.
Ngongotaha¯ Museum Fundraiser — Hobby and Model Expo Labour Weekend. 9am to 4pm. Ngongotaha¯ Community Hall, School Rd. Entry by gold coin. Saturday
Rotorua Plate Day. 12pm to 5pm. Arawa Park Racecourse, Fenton St. Free admission.
Twilight Concert in the Carpark. 7pm to 9pm. Victory Church, 39 Old Taupo¯ Rd. Free admission.
Friends of the Rotorua Library Book Sale. 9am to 1pm. Kuirau Park, Corner of Ranolf St and Lake Rd. Free admission.
Soundshell Market. Lakefront Village Green. 9am to 2pm. Free admission.
Rotorua branch of the NZ Society of genealogists morning workshop. Bridge Club, Neil Hunt Park. 9am. Presenter is the author David Hastings speaking on life aboard the 19th century immigrant ships to NZ. $10 for non-branch members. Morning tea provided.
Stars, spokes & tent poles: Pack a tent, a sleeping bag, togs and some food and have an overnight adventure. 4pm to 12pm (Sunday). Meet at the Visitors Centre, Redwoods, Long Mile Rd. Cost: Good environmental karma.
Bike Speedway: A short and fast race to see who has the horsepower to take the chequered flag on the grass oval. 11am to 2pm. Waipa Mountain Bike and event area. Gold Coin
Whaka Shootout TT: The world’s best cross-country riders battle it out on a 1.9km course full of thrills and spills. 2pm to 5pm. Waipa HQ. Sunday
Lake Tarawera Spring Fair, 10am to 3pm, Stoney Point Reserve Spencer Rd. Free entry. Cash fair. 12pm, Lake Tarawera Sailing Club auction.
Rotorua Ukebox — Ukulele Open Mic Sessions. 3pm to 5pm. Te Runanga Tea House, Queens Drive, Government Gardens. Free admission.
Rotorua Farmers Market. 9am to 1pm. Te Manawa, Corner of Tutanekai and Hinemoa St. Free admission.
Geyserland Country Music Club meeting. 1pm to 4.30pm. Rotorua Bowling Club. $5 door charge for non-members.
Tranquility Zone Guided Meditation.10am to 11am. Rotorua Arts Village, Eric Bridgeman Room. All welcome. Free. For more information call (027) 602 1608.
Rotorua Settlers and Steam Museum (Te Amorangi). 10am to 4pm. Robinson Ave, Holdens Bay.
Whaka100 MTB marathon: Two days of action from children to elite. 7am to 7pm. Waipa Forest. $20 to $320 to enter.
Ride the Runway: A once a year opportunity to experience the thrill of flying free along the smooth car-free Rotorua Airport Runway. 8.30am to 11am. Rotorua Airport. Free.
The Great Electric Bike Challenge: A scavenger hunt with a list of locations, objects and information to bring back to the finish. 1pm to 4pm. Government Gardens. Free. Rental bikes on site.
Outdoor Movie Night in the Redwoods: For members of Young & Local, a social group for people aged 25 to 35. $10. Monday
Dash to the Caldera: Test what electric bikes are capable of with a dash up 430m of elevation with a spectacular 360 degree view. 10am to 1pm. Omania Farm, 976 Te Ngae Rd. $30 with own bike or options to rent from $49 to $69. Proceeds go to Bay of Plenty Rural Support. Leg powered bikes welcome too.
Revolve Dipper Dash: A loop race around the 3km dipper trail in the Whakarewarewa Forest. 1pm to 3pm. Whakarewarewa forest, Baker’s Hollow (at intersection of Dipper and Tahi) $10 per rider.
Redwoods Coast: Fun you can have on a chainless bike, downhill with a tail wind. 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Carpark on Long Mile Rd outside Redwoods Visitors centre.