Media release
 
Newmarket Business Association
 
Friday, 27 February 2009
 
 
 

Newmarket set for busy Sunday with Auckland Cup parade and Teddy Bears’ Picnic

This year's Auckland Cup Week Parade of Champions through Newmarket is set to attract the biggest crowd to date. The annual parade which celebrates Auckland Cup Week will this year take place on a Sunday - from 12noon on Sunday 1 March 2009.  

It is set to be a very busy Sunday for Newmarket, with the neighbouring Auckland Domain hosting the ABE'S Bagels Teddy Bears' Picnic from 11am - 4pm.

"Newmarket is a proud sponsor of the annual Parade of Champions which is only getting bigger and better. It's great for everyone that the parade's on a Sunday this year. It gives more people an opportunity to see it helped by the fact that Newmarket is such a weekend destination," says Lea Worth, Marketing Manager of the Newmarket Business Association. 

“We’ve got our fingers crossed that the rain will stay away. Our parade got rained on last year, so here’s hoping.”

The parade will travel down the length of Broadway from midday, starting from Clovernook Road under the motorway viaduct and finishing on George Street near the Auckland Domain.

Participants will include Ellerslie Ambassador Bridgette O'Sullivan with the Stella Artois Auckland Cup itself, former Auckland Cup winning jockeys and horses, fashion floats showcasing many of Newmarket's designers, marching bands , circus stilt walkers, Newmarket Primary school children in racing silks, polo ponies and greyhounds, to name a few.  

Winning designs and designers from last year's inaugural Newmarket Young Designer Award will also be showcased.  

Mrs Worth says traffic disruption will be kept to a minimum with a 'rolling closure' to take place along Broadway as the parade passes from 12.00pm.

"The parade's a great fit. Newmarket is the fashion capital of New Zealand and Auckland Cup Week is a fantastic celebration of sport, fashion, and glamour. Newmarket offers the ultimate in race-wear shopping and so we are delighted that Newmarket is again "The Official Fashion Precinct" for Auckland Cup Week.

"We're encouraging families to come and enjoy the festivities on Sunday 1 March. In four short years this parade has quickly become a key fixture in Auckland Cup Week, with the Stella Artois Auckland Cup itself being raced on Wednesday 4 March," says Mrs Worth.

The Newmarket Business Association believes the Auckland Cup Week Parade of Champions will continue to grow as has been achieved with the Melbourne Cup Parade which takes place through Melbourne's central city every year.  

Families wanting to also attend the Teddy Bear's Picnic can jump on the free Metrolink Teddy Express shuttle departing from outside Westfield 277 Broadway, Newmarket to the Auckland Domain. The shuttle will run continuously from 10am - 11.45am and resumes at 1.30pm - 5pm, Sunday 1 March.

ENDS

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