Gallagher Boathouse 8s Waikato River Race

2 September 2004

The countdown is on to this Saturday’s Gallagher Boathouse 8s Waikato River race.

As the event’s Entertainment sponsor for the second consecutive year, SKYCITY Hamilton is providing pre-event entertainment with its ‘SKYCITY Hamilton Great Race Great Concert’. Starting from 12 noon, the free riverbank show stars popular entertainers, Jackie Clarke, Chris Powley and friends, performing ‘ABBAlicious’- a collection of ABBA’s greatest hits. Post-race entertainment continues at SKYCITY Hamilton after the event.

SKYCITY Hamilton General Manager Operations Phil Keber says that Hamilton can look forward to another great event this year and urges people to arrive early to secure a good spot on the riverbank.

“With entertainment from the hilarious antics of ABBALICIOUS, to the excitement of the great race itself, the day promises to again be a highlight on the Waikato entertainment calendar. Race goers are encouraged to set up with a blanket on the riverbank and to bring a gold coin for the official collectors, who will be collecting on the day for The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, the event’s recipient charity.

“People can continue to enjoy the Great Race atmosphere, after racing’s over, at SKYCITY Hamilton, which is set to be the great ‘Post Race Party venue’. Revellers can mix and mingle with the Waikato and Cambridge University crews in the Number Eight Bar from 7.30pm - 8:00pm. Adding to the day’s entertainment will be Happy Hour in the bar (7.30pm – 8.30pm), the chance to win a ‘Stay and Play’ package at the Novotel and SKYCITY Hamilton, and free entertainment by the ‘Tall Poppies’ band from 9.30pm.

In support of the charity, SKYCITY Hamilton and the Riverside Entertainment Centre is lit pink every night leading up to race day - pink being the official colour of The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.

SKYCITY has supported the Foundation in its endeavours since 2000, and, for the past four years, Sky Tower in Auckland has been lit pink in support of International Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

SKYCITY Hamilton staff are also wearing pink ribbons this year in support of the Great Race official charity.

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation is a charitable trust that aims to reduce the number of New Zealanders who die from breast cancer and improve outcomes and quality of life for those affected by breast cancer. Funds raised from the Gallagher Boathouse 8s will go towards supporting the Foundation’s nationwide community education and awareness activities as well as initiatives within the vital field of breast cancer research.

ENDS

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