150 years of Army

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 327, 13 March 1990, Page 1

150 years of Army

It rained. It even poured. But it wasn't enough to stop over 2000 people from going to Waiouru's Desert Fair 1990.

According to one Desert Fair organiser the weekend was a success. After long hours of hard work and preparation not only by the Army Desert Fair committee but also by the ATG units who set up the Helwan Camp site the Fair was a success despite the weather. Benefitting from the gate takings will be community organisations/clubs that work with the development and welfare of the children in the pre-school and primary school age group. Four ATG workshops, Headquarters Company and Signal personnel were praised by many stall holders for their

fine effort. Even at 8am last Saturday, Helwan Camp was full of life with stall holders, fair or-

ganisers and side show organisers busy making their final preparations. By 10am the Desert Fair 1990 was in full swing. Main arena activities were shortened due to Turn page 2

Wet but happy at Fair

From poge 1^ the weather. The first event of the day was the Regular Force Cadet Schools annual Tug of War. One of the fair organisers said the tug of war was a test to see if people would watch main arena activities in atrocious weather. With a loyal crowd supporting and watching the tug of war, organisers knew that other arena attractions would draw the crowd despite the heavy rain. The main attraction at the fair was no doubt the depiction of 150 years of army involveiment in warfare. The performances by Regular Force Cadets wearing period uniforms, Queen Alexandra Squadron and Army Museum personnel was well appreciated by the crowd, among them a Television New Zealand film crew recording the drama. The show traced the army's history, growth and involvement in New Zealand and overseas since 1840. Later in the afternoon a display was put on of conventional repelling from hovering helicopter 90 feet above the ground, by 4 ATG ex SAS soldiers wearing full combat gear. The helicopter crew then thrilled the crowd with their precision flying skills demonstrating the helicopter's flying capabilities.

Away from the main arena the side show operators were having a surprisingly successful day considering the rain, with young and old alike enjoying the side show attractions. Stall holders said that business was steady and seemed to pick up when fairgoers sought shelter from the heavy downpours. The armoured personnel carrier ride proved popular among the Desert Fair crowd with many going back for sccond or third rides.

One event that hasn't been seen at the Fair for many years was the Desert Queen Pageant. This year it was re-in-troduced, however contestants numbered only a few. With more publicity, pageant organisers hope next years* event will be as popular as it was when the Desert Fair was young. The Desert Fair was an official 1990 project and despite the rain, most of the public still enjoyed themselves