Unique Airport Ride Kicks Off Papakura’s Summer Events Season

A unique chance to cycle on Ardmore airport’s runway, the annual Pahurehure Inlet Canoe Day and a summer concert series are highlights of the Papakura summer events season which kicks off at the start of February.

On February 14 – Valentine’s Day – the Mayoral Challenge offers riders of all ages and abilities an opportunity to ride the wide open spaces of Ardmore Airport’s runway. Bike safety checks are from 3.30 pm; the ride starts at 4.00 pm. There are two Avanti bikes to be won – one child-sized and one adult-sized, along with spot prizes. Mayor Calum Penrose says he is looking forward to the event, and hopes the one-off chance to ride the runway will attract a “huge” turnout.

Three days later, Papakura’s annual “Bike to Breakfast” event promotes the benefits of cycling for work or leisure with an invitation to residents to ride to the Village Green reserve (between the Papakura District Council offices and Queen Street) to enjoy a free breakfast. The breakfast starts at 7.30, and organisers say the event is exclusively to those who arrive by cycle.

On Sunday 21 February, the second annual Sounds at Sunset concert series begins with “Sing and Swing” featuring the sounds of French Toast and the Queen City Big Band. All three concerts are at Central Park and all three start at 5.30 pm. Organiser Emma Rahui says the series is the perfect way to ease back into the busy part of the year. “Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a relaxing evening with friends; let us provide the entertainment.”

A week later, canoes and kayaks will explore the waters of Pahurehure Inlet from Youngs Reserve as the district’s annual Canoe Day is staged on Sunday February 28. The event offers a chance for the whole family to try kayaking, with plenty of on-shore entertainment as well including a sausage sizzle, free face painting and bouncy castles and an information display from Waicare. The day starts at 11.30 am and is organised jointly by Papakura District Council and the Pahurehure Inlet Protection Society.

The second summer sunset concert, “Blues with a Twist”, takes place on Sunday 7 March and features a set from blues legend Hammond Gamble followed by popular Irish band Twisty Willow.

Cycling for the younger set is the focus of the annual Cycle Safety Carnival to be held at Massey Park on March 16. School-aged children are invited to have their bikes checked for safety and take part in a wide range of cycling activities starting at 3.30 pm.

The final concert in the Sounds at Sunset series happens at Central Park on Sunday 21 March. Uplifted features the voice of Leand Macadaan along with the renowned a capella gospel choir Jubilation in a fitting finale to the concert series.

Event information has been posted to ratepayers and is available from Papakura District Council, 35 Coles Crescent, Papakura; or online at the Council’s web site, www.papakura.govt.nz

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