6 January 2014

WHAT: Guided walk (8.30am) and Garden Fair (10am-3pm)
WHEN: Saturday 11 January
WHERE: Tupare, 487 Mangorei Road, New Plymouth

The splendour of Tupare will be the scene for another New Year Garden Fair on Saturday (11 January) – and this year's event at the iconic New Plymouth property has a retro twist with a family focus.

Besides live music and a wide range of stalls featuring original arts and crafts and food from local providers, there will also be old-fashioned family games on the river flat – think sack races and three-legged races.

“Tupare’s New Year garden fairs are always well attended – it’s a great opportunity for locals to show their holiday guests the stunningly landscaped grounds and unique Chapman-Taylor home,” says the Taranaki Regional Council’s Regional Gardens Manager, Greg Rine.

“This year we’re really excited to add fun family events like sack races, three-legged races, and sketching and family photos. It’s the sort of fun families had together seven or more decades ago when Tupare was the home of Sir Russell Matthews and his family.”

For early birds, a guided walk starting at 10am will be an opportunity to learn more about the history of the property and its stunningly landscaped gardens, carved out of a hillside overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River.

The Garden Fair runs from 10am to 3pm and will include:

• Tasty treats from local foodies including hotcakes, pastries, bread, gourmet burgers and bacon butties.

• Live entertainment including classical/flamenco guitar duo, a jazz duo, flash opera and more.

• Stall selling garden art, plants and keepsakes.

• Family fun and demonstrations on the river flat including good old-fashioned sack races and three legged races, pony rides and gymnastics.

• A ‘garden art room’ where photos and sketches can be shared.

Saturday’s guided walk and Garden Fair are part of a year-round programme of free events at Tupare, Hollard Gardens and Pukeiti, the three heritage gardens owned and managed by the Taranaki Regional Council on behalf of the people of the region.

ENDS

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