Organisers of South Canterbury’s Caroline Bay Rock and Hop are ringing the changes for next year’s event.
These include a route change to the Friday night Main Street Cruise to make it run more smoothly and an ‘‘It’s in the Bag’’ revival show on the Friday night.
Hospice South Canterbury’s events and marketing manager Kim Rogers said the changes were aimed at keeping the format fresh and vibrant.
‘‘We’re also building on the successful Laps at Levels cruise day held on the Thursday, and have planned a shed-themed cruise tour on the Sunday.
‘‘And of course, we’ll still have our Friday cruise to Geraldine, the show and shine gala day on Caroline Bay on the Saturday that attracted tens of thousands this year, and the popular Saturday night dance,’’ Ms Rogers said.
Dates for next year’s event are March 14 to 17. It will be the eighth year the hospice has planned the event, although two years have had to be cancelled because of Covid. This year’s event made a record $160,000 profit, all of which goes to the hospice.
‘‘We had some great feedback after our first Laps at Levels event this year and anticipate more interest next year. So we’ll have more cruises for car enthusiasts to experience driving their precious vehicles around a race track, and hope to get more of the general public out to watch.
‘‘There were some huge smiles on faces last time,’’ Ms Rogers said.
The Timaru District Council Friday night cruise through the main streets of Timaru, Pleasant Point and Temuka has always been an event highlight, and a tweak for next year is designed to make the flow of vehicles smoother to eliminate the gaps between groups of cars as the cruise progresses.
‘‘We’ve looked to minimise those by changing the route in Timaru to avoid going on to State Highway 1 while also eliminating three sets of traffic lights.
‘‘On the return trip up Stafford St vehicles will turn left at Canon St, left again on to Sophia and then right at the library roundabout to go up Church St. Cars will then turn right at Rathmore St then left on to Wai-iti Rd, rejoining the usual route from then on.’’
Ms Rogers said there would be plenty of publicity closer to the time to ensure spectators were aware of the new route as
they created the special atmosphere the cruise was known for.
‘‘We’ve also discussed changes to our Friday night Bay Hall programme and have latched on to a suggestion of reenacting the 1970s and ’80s television show It’s in the Bag.
‘‘We see this as being a lot of fun with members of the audience coming on stage to answer three questions and then hear that old refrain ‘the money or the bag Timaru?’.
‘‘We can see this as being a lot of fun and a contrast to our traditional Saturday night Rock Your Socks Off dance which fills the Bay Hall, which we’ll still have.
‘‘For those preferring a Friday night dance, the Timaru Rock and Roll Club is planning a dance at Temuka after the main street cruise.
‘‘Our Saturday gala day remains largely unchanged due to the huge success this year with the entertainment format, the vast car display along with caravans and military vehicles, plus the wide variety of stalls.
‘‘On Sunday we will offer breakfast at the Bay Hall as usual, but instead of a departing cruise to an outlying area we’re looking at a Sheds on Sunday cruise, where people can visit some interesting sheds and garages we’ll line up in Timaru. Entry will be by gold coin donation.’’
Ms Rogers said the organising committees were counting down to another great event, with registrations opening on September 1 via the website carolinebayrockandhop.co.nz
