FIS week festival planned

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 249, 5 July 1988, Page 1

FIS week festival planned

Glynis Helton is calling on Waimarino people to take advantage of the planned FIS ski racing festival to promote all the area's activities, not just skiing. Glynis has been they wish to participate "volunteered" to co-or- as well as the Veg-

dinate the activities off the mountain during the international ski racing event. When the Bulletin spoke to Glynis last week she was working on plans for an opening parade for Saturday August 6, with the Ohakune Fire Brigade having expressed interest, as well as Horopito Motors who have offered their vintage cars to carry the international skiers. The parade will follow an official welcome on the Maungarongo Marae, subject to confirmation from Elder Matiu Mareikura and the marae. She has asked the schools in the area if

etable Growers and is callmg for all who want to be involved to contact her. As well as approaching the Waimarino Brass Band, Glynis has made enquiries about the Tenderkist and Manawatu bands. Other ideas for activities for the week include a fancy dress, torch parade, a hangi and a "victory dance" on the last Saturday of the FIS festival. Bill Te Karu and possibly Val Parkes will organise the dance, which will be a chance for the racers and the people involved with the running of the races t o unwind after the event. A casino night is

planned by Hot Lava's Paul Beckett for sometime during the week. Glynis is calling for anyone who is keen to

help to contact her. "Locals have to become involved for it to become a success," she said.

"The week is not just for Turoa and skiing, our town is on show and its a chance t o show people what else we can do." Mrs Helton has seen two other international race events, the Molsen World Cup at Whistler Mountain in Canada and at Aspen in the USA. She said the Americans really put on a show at Aspen, with a huge parade and with a typically American fireworks display, costing around $5,000 for 15 minutes. The Ohakune event wouldn't be the same, says Glynis, because at Aspen they have money and lots of promotion expertise to draw on. An Ohakune festival can be great in its own way, with typical Kiwi hospitality, says Glynis.