Cromwell Street Party & Fireworks to Welcome First Public Kawarau Gorge Trail Riders
Cromwell’s iconic Street Party & Fireworks is set to be extra special this Labour Weekend, with the Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group facilitating a community welcome for the first public riders of the highly anticipated Kawarau Gorge Trail, as they cross the finish line at the Cromwell Heritage Precinct on Sunday 25 October.
Riders, families and support crews will be given a warm Cromwell welcome before joining the annual Street Party, creating a unique opportunity to bring the trail community together with locals and visitors to mark this significant milestone.
Caitlin Dykes, Chair of the Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group, says the occasion is a natural fit for the long-standing community event.
“The public opening of the Kawarau Gorge Trail is a fantastic milestone for our region, and we’re delighted to be working alongside Southern Lakes Trails to welcome the first riders into Cromwell. The Street Party & Fireworks is all about bringing people together, so it’s a fitting way to mark this exciting occasion with the riders, their families and our community.”
For Southern Lakes Trails, which has played a central role in bringing the Kawarau Gorge Trail to life, the first public ride will mark the culmination of years of work and collaboration.
Janeen Wood from Southern Lakes Trails says:
“There has been an enormous amount of work, commitment and collaboration behind the scenes to bring the Kawarau Gorge Trail to this point, so seeing the first public riders arrive into Cromwell will be a very proud moment for everyone involved. Having the opening coincide with the Cromwell Street Party & Fireworks is fantastic. It gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the trail, acknowledge the people who have helped make it happen, and share this milestone with the wider community.”
The Cromwell Street Party & Fireworks, along with the trail opening celebration, will form part of a busy Labour Weekend in Cromwell. The Cromwell Sunday Markets open their new season on Sunday, Cromwell Speedway opens its racing season on Saturday, and Highlands Motorsport Park hosts its Track Laps Breakfast on Sunday morning to name a few highlights.
Visitors will also be encouraged to explore the recently opened Te Puna Mahara – Cromwell Memorial Events Centre, support local hospitality, retail and cellar doors.
The Street Party will run through the afternoon and evening on the Sunday with family entertainment, food, activities and a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Dunstan.
Tanya Dennis, Marketing, Communications, Sponsorship & Funding Manager for the Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group, says the setting will make the occasion particularly memorable. “What better way to welcome the first riders into Cromwell than with our community coming together to greet them? Seeing them arrive at the Heritage Precinct, with Lake Dunstan and the mountains as the backdrop, will be a wonderful moment. Then to have everyone stay on, enjoy the Street Party and finish the evening with fireworks over the lake feels like a pretty special way to mark the beginning of this exciting new chapter.”
The event is free to attend, helping keep this community celebration accessible for everyone.
Final programme details will be published over the coming weeks. Stay connected via our social media channels @cromwellcentralotago and by visiting https://www.cromwell.org.nz/ourevents
Calling local entertainers, performers & food vendors
Want to be part of the Labour Weekend celebrations? Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group is seeking expressions of interest from local entertainers, performers and food vendors to join the Cromwell Street Party & Fireworks on Sunday 25 October.
We’d love to have you join us! If you’re interested in being part of the day, get in touch with the Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group at crm@cromwell.org.nz, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
