Well, Americarna Taranaki is about to embark on its 4th annual event and the dates are set for 24th - 27th February 2010. As with past events we are working hard to ensure we keep improving and giving you our entrants, an event with a difference and one to always remember.
Here's what we have in the planning process:
Tuesday 23rd February 2010
For those of you who arrive into town Tuesday or who are from the Taranaki area, Registration and Merchandise will be open from 12.00 noon until 10.00pm. This is a great opportunity to sort your registration early, purchase your event t-shirt etc and be ready to go cruising come Wednesday morning.
Wednesday 24th February 2010
This morning we don't cruise off until 10.00am, so to start your day head to Crowded House Bar & Cafe (Official Bar & Restaurant of Americarna) where they will be serving a cooked breakfast and coffee from 7.30am. NB - this breakfast option will also be available on Thursday and Friday morning, same time. But make sure you are at the Race Course ready to leave by 10.00am sharp and remember, 10.00am means 10.00am in Americarna Time! From here we will be cruising off to the New Plymouth Airport for a private aircraft viewing and aerobatic display. This display is made possible by local aircraft owners and their generosity to showcase their aircraft exclusively to Americarna entrants. Keep an eye out for the school children and residents of Fitzroy and Bell Block on the way. They will be out in force to wave and cheer you through.
12.30 noon - Time to head back to our cars and cruise off to Waitara. Here we plan to stop at Waitara Centennial Park by the sea where lunch will be available for purchase. It's a great place to take time to relax or get involved in the planned activities that will challenge and entertain and a chance to enjoy the fantastic coastal scenery.
3.30pm - Moving onto Inglewood from here. The cruise route from Waitara to Inglewood will be different from past years but promises to be just as scenic. Once we hit Inglewood all cars will be parked in the main street and the party will begin .... Bands, food, drink, shopping! From 7.00pm you can return to New Plymouth.
Arthouse Cinema has kindly offered to screen a movie at Butlers Reef, Oakura in conjunction with Americarna. Tonight at 8.30pm they will be screening 'Love the Beast' at the back bar under the marquee. 'Love the Beast' is a simple take on one man's ongoing relationship with his very first car and his entry into the Targa Tasmania Rally. This is a fantastic opportunity to view a movie in the open garden bar setting while enjoying a couple of refreshments. Tickets must be pre purchased and are only available over the counter from Butler's Reef for $13.00 each. Seats are limited to 100 and will be on sale from early December.
Thursday 25th February 2010
Once you're fed and watered and ready for day two, head to the Race Course to kick off the day at 9.30am sharp. From the Race Course we cruise off to Opunake Beach via Surf Highway 45. Once in Opunake let the fun begin .... Surf, food, music, swimming, helicopter rides and children's playground along with planned activities. Today expect your competitive side to take over and for those of you who think you don't have one?? ..... Don't be so sure!
From 3.00pm head back to New Plymouth at your leisure. A great stop along the way is Butlers Reef, one of the Official Bars of Americarna. From 3.30pm - 7.00pm there will be live music. So relax out back in the garden bar, listen to the music and enjoy some great food and hospitality.
Once back in New Plymouth, there are a large number of bars and restaurants to check out in the CBD, Crowded House Bar & Cafe (Official Bar and Restaurant of Americarna) and Marinovich's are a great option to consider. The famous TSB Bank Festival of lights will be on from 8.30pm - 10.45pm at Pukekura Park with local New Plymouth band 3rd Avenue playing on the Hatchery Lawn. If you want to rock the night away, Crowded House Bar & Cafe have Beatle Smak (covers band) playing from 9.00pm - 1.00am.
Friday 26th February 2010
Most of this morning is free for you to roam the CBD, have breakfast at Crowded House Bar & Cafe then check out the sites and attractions. We have a few thoughts in the pipeline on this mornings activities and once plans come to light we will post more info for you. This morning is also the Rest Home run. So if you are keen to be involved again or want to take part for the first time keep this morning free. We will be posting more info closer to the event to advise you of the details.
Today we depart the Race Course at 12.30pm sharp and start cruising south. We will be going off track from our normal route in past years. This time we cruise through Stratford, Eltham, Kaponga and Manaia before reaching Hawera. Along the way the school children and locals will be out cheering and waving you by. Once in Hawera the cars will be parked in the CBD area for lunch. Here you can look forward to more great hospitality, music, food and shopping. Once lunch is over it's back to the cars to head to the next stop - Tawhiti Museum. This is a private museum which has life size exhibits and detailed scale models that represent our heritage. All the displays are built and designed on site by local man, Nigel Ogle. Cost of entry is $10.00. This is a must see. You will walk away truly impressed.
Come 5.00pm we will be back in convoy to New Plymouth via Mangorei Road, where last year this long stretch of residential road was lined with people outside their properties with deck chairs, arm chairs, cooking BBQ's waving and cheering. It was an incredible sight and we can't wait to reach this part of the cruise once we hit town. From Mangorei Road it's on to the Friday Night Main Street Cruise! The cruise route will be open from 6.00pm - 11.00pm. Look out Devon Street!!
Saturday 27th February 2010
Come to the New Plymouth Race Course for another day jam packed full of entertainment and fun ... Country Fair Day!! From 9.30am - 4.00pm come and enjoy helicopter rides, free children's rides, a lineup of great music, food, trade stalls and much more. Today will also be the finals of some of our activities from during the week to find our category winners. More information on this will be posted closer to the event. Then at 3.45pm the prize draw for the Americarna giveaway vehicle will take place. This year we have a black 1964 Ford Galaxie to giveaway. You will find your entry in your event programme which you will be given at registration.
6.30pm - The entrants buffet dinner and Saturday night function begins. Come enjoy an evening of food, refreshments, and entertainment. Time to catch up with friends, talk about your week's adventures, let your hair down, put on your dancing shoes and party the night away.
And Yes!! The Eagle Automotive Margarita Blender is back.
(Dinner is available by purchasing your tickets at registration)
Sunday 28th February 2010
The 4th annual Americarna Taranaki has come to an end!!
We are all in for a fantastic time. The Americarna event is again set to be one to remember. Don't delay; get your registration in now. Forms are available here on our website and we are available to answer any queries by calling 06 7590027 or emailing admin@americarna.com.
See you in February!
