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Between 400 and 500 hot rods are expected to roar into Orewa for the three-day Rodders Beach Festival, which runs from Friday, January 26 to Sunday, January 28.
This is the ninth year that the crowd-pleasing event, which is a fundraiser for the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, has been held. In that time it has raised around $140,000 – including a record $37,000 last year.
The event opens on Friday and includes the outdoor screening of a hot rod themed movie on Orewa Reserve. The public can bring rugs and blankets (but not cars) and watch the movie under the stars at 9pm, for $10.
New features at this summer’s festival include a public Show and Shine on Saturday, January 27, at the southern end of Orewa.
This is in addition to the big Show and Shine, which takes place at the town centre end of the highway the following day.
Festival coordinator Sharon Morris says on the Saturday, Hibiscus Coast Highway will be closed from Faridas Restaurant to Beachcomber Motel for the new Show and Shine.
This is for hot rodders who have registered with VIP passes. After checking out all the cars, the public can vote for their favourite.
There will be another chance to take a look at all the cars on Saturday around 5.30pm when they will be parked in Orewa New World’s carpark, before they cruise to Puhoi Pub for the NZV8 What’s Under Your Hood competition.
Another new addition on Saturday is a cute pop-up Betty Boop area for women, including a hair and makeup caravan, red and white polka dot tables and chairs, and a Betty Boop statue for photos.
The popular Miss Hibiscus Vintage competition will also be held on Saturday.
For the guys, there is a new Man Cave.
Last year’s Miss Hibiscus Vintage top three, from left, Alanna Pleasants, aka Miss Lani Lou (third place), Hannah Wain, aka Miss Dariel Dearlove (winner and judge this year) and Gemma Overton, aka Miss Gem Dot (second).
Sunday features the main Show and Shine along Orewa Boulevard, along with live entertainment and prizegiving – the main prize is a USA Getaway holiday.
As an additional fundraiser, the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust is asking local businesses to take part in a Dollar for the Chopper campaign, asking customers to add a dollar to their bill, which goes to the Trust.
More information and a timetable of events at hibiscusrodders.co.nz
Hibiscus Matters is a proud sponsor of the 2018 Rodders Beach Festival.
Man cave on reserve
Dean Morris
Drag cars, Harley Davidsons and paintball are included in a Man Cave that will be set up on Orewa Reserve on Saturday, January 27 as part of the Rodders Festival. The drag cars will fire up their engines at intervals and there is a competition to win a seat in one of the cars for the final fire up of the day. A paintball shootout area is also included.
The Honey Bourbon truck will be there. Local company Raw Possessions, owned by Dean Morris has custom made some furniture, including bar leaners and a free-standing bar counter. The counter will be auctioned at the end of the day, with proceeds to the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust. A portion of the sale of the bar leaners will also be donated.
