Festival all go

Two key events on Cambridge’s 2023 calendar will share common ground this month.

Both the Great Kiwi Summer Festival, an inaugural event three years in the making which is being called “New Zealand’s biggest celebration of summer” and the long-standing Armistice in Cambridge, thought to be the largest armistice celebration of its kind in New Zealand, will both be held at Lake Karapiro’s Mighty River Domain on the weekend of November 11-12.

Festival event manager Janette Douglas told The News she is delighted the event will go ahead after several Covid-19 enforced delays scuttled plans to run it in previous years.

Waterworld, an inflatable floating water park, is set to be a popular attraction at this month’s Great Kiwi Summer Festival. Photo: Supplied

Roughly 50 exhibitors are set to attend the festival and entry is free, though there will be some “pay to play” attractions.

“There most certainly will be something for everybody,” Douglas said, adding the “unique opportunity” to share the domain with an event of the calibre of Armistice in Cambridge is one she’s relishing.

It features battle re-enactments, archery vehicle parades and more.

“I’m delighted that we will both be there. The combination of what will be happening there is going to make it an incredible weekend for the whole family,” Douglas said.

Among those already attending are the BMX big air nationals, Boat Shed Kayaks, Cam Jet, Waterworld – an inflatable floating water park – and even a chance to see the Manta 5 hydrofoil bike up close.

 

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