On-shore entertainment - Auckland’s 165th birthday

Media release – for immediate release

Wednesday, 12 January 2005

On-shore entertainment officially celebrates
Auckland’s 165th birthday

Auckland’s eastern viaduct harbour will buzz with activity this anniversary weekend in celebration of Auckland’s 165th birthday, Monday 31st January 2005. To be officially opened by the Royal New Zealand Navy 60-piece band at 10:30am, this day of family fun promises to entertain.

With a real family focus the event consists of generous giveaways, well-known faces, live music, bouncy castles, face painting, clowns, puppet shows, bubbles, and balloon making to entertain the queues.

“We have concentrated on providing entertainment for all ages to create an atmosphere, not only for adults but for the entire family to enjoy,” said Vicki Wilson, Auckland Anniversary Regatta on-shore events manager.

Bebop n Lula, the cutest clown couple around will enter the eastern viaduct in genuine clown style in their very own bubble top car. The clown duo will not only entertain but also make balloons to suit all shapes and sizes from rings, bracelets and ladybirds for the girls to laser guns and motorbikes for the boys.

Bebop n Lula's singing toy circus, featuring Dexter the 359 year old singing dragon, Vern the silliest singing bird ever and their very own singing Christmas tulip pot plants are a must see for the kids. Let’s not forget to mention the “incredibubbles” that they make from time to time throughout the event.

The Elephant Gerald band, a group loosely modelled on the jug bands, popular in rural southern USA in the 1920s and 30s, are there to keep the atmosphere alive throughout the day. Comprising Jim Gladwin on tea-chest base, Tim Oldham on washboard and Brendan Wright on guitar and blues harp, this talented bunch with a repertoire mix of rhythm and blues, ragtime, jazz standards and a little reggae all share vocals.

Adding a considerable ray of sunshine to the event is Rainbow Rascals, well known for their expertise in colourful creative face painting and children’s entertainment. Keep an eye out for the rainbow bouncy castle or perhaps just look for the queue lining up at the face-painting gazebo.

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