The festival promises something for all ages and is organised by Avon-Otakaro Network (AvON), the group advocating for the Avon River red zone to become a river park and reserve.
This year the festival will follow the journey of the specially-carved waka huia as it makes its way downstream.
Starting at Cambridge Green with an early morning river walk it will arrive by waka at Kerrs Reach for the grand opening by new Mayor Lianne Dalziel at 9:30am. A multi-code regatta will then get underway with dragon boats, waka, rowing boats and kayaks all competing in handicapped racing to win the coveted Spring River Challenge Trophy.
At mid day the festivities will travel further down river to arrive at Owles Terrace and then into New Brighton by foot accompanied by the Natural Magic Ukulele Pirates!
By this stage New Brighton will be buzzing with excitement and colour! The carnival and market will be in full swing, with sand-painting on the beach and a kite fest and skate fest to keep us entertained.
Once the pirate band arrives it will take the stage to kick off the free family concert on the waterfront green at 1pm. Among the many acts are headliners Stone Cold Chillers and One Drop Nation.
Meanwhile at 2pm out on the water there will be a Stand Up Paddle Board race around the pier. In the evening the Pierside will host a concert to keep things rocking (cover charge applies).
“Its time to celebrate the potential of the lower Avon-Otakaro as the playground of the city!” says Evan Smith Co-Chair of AvON. “Lets recognise the importance of the river to the life of the city and restore it to its natural health.”
Information stalls at the New Brighton market include ones by Environment Canterbury on the Natural Environment Recovery Plan, and by Forest and Bird, Coastal Pathway and of course AvON.
The festival has received generous sponsorship from Canterbury Community Trust and from Wainoni Pak’nSave and Stanmore New World.
See the full programme below …. or visit www.springriver.org.nz
Programme
7:30am O-Tautahi/Cambridge Green Blessing of the waka huia and River Walk with River of Life
9:20am Kerrs Reach Arrival of the waka
9:30am Kerrs Reach Grand Opening with the Mayor Lianne Dalziel
9:40am Kerrs Reach Multi-Code Spring River Challenge Regatta: dragon boats, waka, rowing boats and kayaks. (Some heats start at 8:30am)
11:45am Kerrs Reach Flotilla heads downstream with waka hui
12:30pm Owles Terrace Waka huia arrives by river and then travels by foot through the carnival market to the waterfront accompanied by the Natural Magic Ukulele Pirates
10am – 2pm New Brighton Mall Carnival & Market
From Midday New Brighton Water Front Sand Painting, Kite Fest, Skate fest
1pm New Brighton Water Front Family Concert featuring Natural Magic Ukulele Pirates, 1Drop Nation and Stone Cold Chillers
2pm New Brighton Beach Stand Up Paddle Board Race around the Pier
8:30pm Pierside Bar & Restaurant Evening Concert (cover charge applies)
Other News: Travis Wetland Trust Turns 21!
Travis Wetland Trusts celebrates its 21st anniversary this year.
The latest Travis Wetland Trust newsletter is now available – check it out at http://traviswetland.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/TravisNewsletterOct2013.pdf
As part of the AGM we are having a celebration and making a day of it on the 9th of November at the Education Centre at Travis Wetland.
The day is as follows:
AGM at 10 am followed by morning tea
Tree planting at 11 am – 21 trees will be planted to celebrate the 21st anniversary
Barbeque at 12.30 followed by a guided walk at 2 pm. Please send a reply to info@traviswetland.org.nz if you are coming.
There will also be a photography outing starting approximately at 3pm lead by Grahame Bell. The previous outings with Grahame have been a great success
If you want to learn more about taking great shots come along, the outing will go till about 7ish.
T Shirts for sale – The Travis Wetland Trust has T shirts for sale, 2 great designs and a great range of colours check them out at http://traviswetland.org.nz/shop/
Evan Smith