Aoraki Development Business and Tourism
(Formerly Central South Island Tourism and Aoraki Development Trust)

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
18 October 2010

Roll up, Roll up: Timaru’s Caroline Bay Carnival Turns 100

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, and nowhere more so than at Caroline Bay in Timaru. The longest running event of its type in New Zealand, the Caroline Bay Carnival is turning 100 this year, with major celebrations planned to mark this exciting milestone. Caroline Bay is the place to be on Boxing Day 2010, when Timaru District Mayor Janie Annear will officially open the 100th Christmas/New Year two-week holiday carnival.

This enduring and much-loved carnival features all the fun of the fair, from the Big Wheel, Roller Coaster, Merry-Go-Round, Octopus and Rocket Ship rides to buzz boats, sideshow stalls, circus, candyfloss and ice creams. Swings, slides, paddling pools and a skateboard park beckon under summer skies, and tea-rooms offer a cool respite from the day’s excitements. With a wealth of free family entertainment, there is always something for everyone to enjoy at the Caroline Bay Carnival.

Over the years, generations of families have savoured the salt, sea and sand of summer carnival as they cheer their favourites in the Princess of the Sands competition and applaud the line-up of popular New Zealand artists and entertainers giving concerts in the Art Deco Sound Shell. The many competitions include Junior Miss Caroline Bay, Tiny Tots, Mother and Son and Queen of the Carnival, while the ever-popular talent quests attract more hopefuls each year. New Year’s Eve on the Bay, with an amazing midnight fireworks display, is an excellent evening of family entertainment, drawing crowds from far afield.

A Proud History…and followers all over the world
The Caroline Bay Carnival has a proud history in South Canterbury – its enormous appeal, year after year, is down to a local army of volunteers who have devoted a century of their time to making this seaside spectacle a success. Caroline Bay Association President Warren Barker reports that one volunteer has been on the scene for more than 60 years, while his own mother, aged 100, has been to most carnivals. Some families have had three generations of involvement with the carnival.

The official Caroline Bay Carnival website, www.carolinebay.org.nz has a world-wide following, scoring a high number of hits and repeat visits from especially from past volunteers and nostalgic ex-pat locals.

2010 Highlights
As locals and regular summer holiday visitors gear up for the big 100th birthday celebrations, two day-trips by train from Christchurch, including one steam excursion, are planned to bring extra visitors to the carnival. For those who would like a taste of what the Caroline Bay Carnival was like in the past, the South Canterbury Museum has film footage of the 1953 carnival, which makes fascinating viewing.

A Book to Remember
A Century of Carnivals,a book celebrating the first 100 years of the Caroline Bay Carnival, was launched to a loyal local crowd on Friday 1 October.

Given the carnival’s enduring appeal, there’s every reason in the world to look forward to the next 100 years of seaside sun and fun. Just ask a Timaruvian.

ENDS

About Aoraki Development Business and Tourism

Aoraki Development Business and Tourism was formed in July 2010 from the merger of the Aoraki Development Trust and Central South Island Tourism. Aoraki Development Business and Tourism is the official economic and tourism development agency for the Timaru District, facilitating business success from inception through to sustainable growth and competitiveness. Our mission is to enhance the economic well-being of the South Canterbury Aoraki region by sustaining, growing and attracting businesses and visitors. Our organisation is made up of integrated teams working in the fields of economic development, tourism, marketing, i-SITE Visitor Centre services and events. We work with individuals, businesses, clusters and industry sectors to grow the well being of the Timaru District and South Canterbury as a whole.

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