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A free, family friendly concert, with entertainment, food trucks and fireworks is expected to draw both Easter weekend visitors and locals to Ōrewa Surf Sounds on March 30.
One of the key elements is the child-friendly hours – the event starts at around 4pm and the fireworks are set to begin booming as soon as it gets dark, around 8pm.
The location, by Ōrewa Beach (near the surf club) will also appeal. You can bring a picnic, and there will also be around 30 food trucks to choose from.
A range of amusements are on offer for the young ones, including inflatables.
The event is organised by business association Destination Ōrewa Beach. It’s the first time it has been run as a stand-alone event – it was previously held after the Santa Parade.
Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving Club volunteers are providing carpark marshalling and other support and will be shaking buckets for donations. All funds raised on the night go to the surf club’s clubroom and community facility build project. (see p9)
The Ōrewa Reserve carpark will be closed from 8am on the day, so that everything can be set up for the event. Surf Sounds carparking will be provided at Western Reserve and Destination Ōrewa operations manager, Hellen Wilkins, says expect “organised traffic mayhem” as the crowd disperses after the fireworks.
The rain date is April 6.
Rewind plays classic hits from the 60s-80s. One of its guitarists/singers, Ted Fuller, is also Silverdale fire brigade’s chief fire officer. He says the band formed in 2019, and had only one practice before Covid, before everyone had to learn the repertoire by themselves at home in lockdown. For a year they didn’t have a drummer. Now, the band has regular gigs at local bars and events.
Easter fun on the hop
Although the Easter long weekend doesn’t fall over the school holidays this year, there are several opportunities around the area to keep children happy – and chocolate consumption levels boosted.
The Pūhoi village market’s traditional last Sunday of the month slot coincides this year with Easter Sunday, and an Easter theme will be very evident, with chocolate eggs and hot cross buns available, and kids invited to take part in an Easter rock hunt, with brightly painted rocks hidden instead of eggs.
An Easter hamper, comprising donated goods from local manufacturers, will be raffled. And organisers hint that Easter decorations could even extend to some long-eared, four-legged creatures this year.
The market at the Pūhoi Domain runs on March 31,from 9am to 1pm.
The American game of Corn Hole is one of the options for children at the Silverdale Pioneer Village this Easter. The Pioneer Village is putting on Easter Family Days, which include children’s games and Devonshire teas on March 30 and 31. If the weather is fine, expect toss the gumboot, hopscotch, and Corn Hole outside and there will be a treasure hunt with prizes for all participants. The village, at 15 Wainui Road, Silverdale, is open from 10am to 3pm both days.
The free Easter Bunny Bash at the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA is a family-friendly event that includes fun competitions like egg and spoon races, bunny relay (with a balloon between your legs) and the Easter dance challenge. DJ and MC Alan Reeves will be providing the tunes. The event is on at the RSA on Saturday, March 30, 5pm-8pm.
