Winter Carnival fun for young and old

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 287, 23 May 1989, Page 7

Winter Carnival fun for young and old

Organisers of this year's Winter Carnival during Queen's Birthday Weekend are busy with last-minute organisation of the host of activities to be run in the Waimarino.

Not the least of these is the 35km Mountain Bike Race, sponsored by Ohakune's leisure sports company,.New Sensations. $1000 prize money is expected to attract a large number of competitors from . around the country. Those interested in competing can register with Chris Allum at New Sensations. With such a wide range of activities and

competitions for children and adults, everyone can be in to win. Ohakune's shopping area is joining in the fun of the day with a Mad Hatter's Tea Party in the Cedar Mall, starting.at 10.30am. For a small fee children and adults can enter the best mad hat competition. Proceeds from the event will go to the national DEBRA Society.

Prizes in the sheep shearing competition will be donated by Nobby's Ski Hire at the Ohakune Junction. Carnival co-ordinator Alan Crossman, said the response from local businesses for the donation of goods for prizes, has been excellent. A full list of prizes will be published in next week's addition of the Bulletin. A Rock 'n' Roll workshop for those intending to attend Sunday's 50's dance at the Ohakune Club, will be held between 12-4pm at

the Waimarino RSA Hall in Raetihi. The workshop will be an opportunity for rock 'n' rollers to brush up on their foot-work. Tickets for the night are available from KayCee Stores in Raetihi and -Berry's Bookshop in Ohakune. A wide range of displays are planned, including one by disabled skier Paul Speight. The army has also indicated it will be displaying some of its 'hardware', including a Scorpion tank. It is still unknown whether the Kiwi Lager

Express, presently housed in Auckland, will be bringing passengers to the Waimarino for the weekend. Negotiations between Kiwi Lager and New Zealand Railways are currently underway. Mr Crossman said around 300 people are expected to arrive on the steam train KA 945. The train will be making a day trip to Taumarunui, with enough photo stops along the way to satisfy an railway enthusiast. Carnival goers wishing to join the train at

Ohakune can book at the AA Travel office in Clyde Street. Mr Crossman said prebookings for the trip are essential. The cost for adults is $57, and children $43. Essential phone

numbers for bookings, details, etc: Mt Bike Race, Chris Allum phone 59189; 50's dance and Rock 'n' Roll workshop, phone 54610; Mad Hatter's Tea Party, phone 58494 or 58704.