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A military re-enactment like no other, including bands, vehicles and even a fly-past, will be on the cards for Warkworth’s 170th anniversary heritage festival week in November, Rodney Local Board heard last week.
Heritage Mahurangi founder Dave Parker said that as the main celebrations started on Armistice Day, November 11, organisers were working with Warkworth RSA and Major Mark Blythen to plan “the greatest military parade in Warkworth since 1944”, when 5000 US servicemen left town after spending two years in the area.
Parker said other events being planned for the week-long celebration would hopefully include an ecumenical church service, concerts, visits from representatives of sister towns around the world, and a Mahurangi River pageant, led by a Ngati Manuhiri waka and featuring the Jane Gifford, steamboats and many other craft.
Board members heard that closing streets for the parade and other traffic management could cost $4000, which Parker hoped the local board could help support.
“It all needs funding,” he said. “$40,000 would have been ideal for what we want, but we’ve trimmed that to $25,000 and we’ve raised $5000 so far. Any discretionary funds you could find to support us we would really appreciate.”
Parker added that signage, brochures and advertising the various events throughout the anniversary year and festival week would take up much of their spend.
