Rock and Hop a sell out
The Caroline Bay Rock and Hop has sold out with a waiting list of those still hoping to join in on the Timaru fundraiser.
Hospice South Canterbury fundraiser Jeanna Munro said while there were still some tickets left for a breakfast and dance night during the four-day event, 1000 vehicles were now booked for the March 18-21 nostalgic festival with a ‘50s and ‘60s theme, which attracts thousands of people to Timaru every year.
The announcement is welcome news for organisers following the cancellation of last year’s event, a major fundraiser for hospice, amid Covid-19 fears, and the recent changing alert levels in New Zealand.
‘‘We are delighted,’’ Munro said. ‘‘We have 51 caravans coming this year – the most we have ever had.’’ This included several Lilliput caravan owners who would visit the Rock and Hop as part of a tour.
Munro said some ticket holders had cancelled in recent weeks, meaning it was important anyone who still wanted to register a vehicle, but had missed out, contact organisers to be put on the waiting list.
‘‘Some people have said they can’t make it now, or their car’s broken done, so we’ve been managing to get people off the waiting list and get them tickets.’’
She said the fact the event was now sold out was reassuring.
‘‘We intend to go ahead if we can and everyone is very, very keen to get here and party with us.’’ The support had also come from throughout New Zealand and overseas. ‘‘There seems to be even more interest from throughout the country this year and we seem to have a few new people this year.’’ There had also been interest from a couple of Australians, she said. She said organisers have spoken about adding an event to next year’s timetable which will showcase more of South Canterbury, so people would come back to the region for a holiday.
For now, Munro said organisers were getting excited and preparing to open the 2021 Rock and Hop. ‘‘We are keeping an eye on alert levels and if we can do it, we will.’’ She also encouraged people to buy tickets for the festival raffle, to be drawn on the Saturday. ‘‘The raffle is important to us and can be held regardless. The tickets are selling quickly.’’ Tickets are sold at Timaru’s two hospice shops, on its webpage or in businesses throughout South Canterbury.
The Rock and Hop begins March 18 with a cruise from Caroline Bay to Riverstone Castle in North Otago; March 19 includes cruises to Geraldine and that evening down the main streets of Temuka, Pleasant Point and Timaru; Saturday will be the gala day at the Bay with a hop in Caroline Bay Hall that night. The event winds up on Sunday with a final cruise to Tekapo.