NEWS RELEASE

22 August 2013

Fanzone fever this Saturday

If you haven’t got a ticket to the Bledisloe Cup you can still soak up the rugby fever at the indoor Bledisloe Cup Fanzone at Shed 6 and TSB Arena on the waterfront, starting at 12 noon and going right through until the end of the game at 9.30pm. Kick-off is at 7.35pm but bring the family down early as seats are limited to the first 1000 people.
The Council’s Community Events Manager, Rebecca Martin, says the free event features fun for the whole family.

“We’ve organised a special kids’ ‘fun zone’ – featuring massive inflatable structures with rugby themed games – plus face painting and giveaways.

“There will be staged entertainment featuring recent X Factor competitor Maaka Fiso and the Aussie Covers Band playing iconic hits from the last few decades. There’s a chance to get your picture taken with the Bledisloe and the Investec Rugby Championship Cups. Plus there’ll be plenty of great Kiwi and Aussie food and drink.”

Ticketholders are encouraged to take the Fantrail to get to the game early.

“Starting at the Bledisloe Cup Fanzone at 5.30pm there will be spectacular entertainers along the route with drumming, colour, dance and music, making it the only way to head to the game,” says Rebecca.

People coming into the city to enjoy the celebrations are also being asked to leave their cars at home.

“If you can, please consider either catching a bus or train into the city. Or if you live reasonably close why not walk.”

As part of a competition between the region’s primary schools, flags designed by schoolchildren will decorate the Bledisloe Cup Fanzone and Fantrail.

On the day there will be some road closures and restrictions to help with pedestrian safety. Thorndon Quay (from intersection of Hutt Rd and Tinakori Road) will be closed from 5.30–10.30pm. Featherston Street (from Thorndon Quay to Whitmore Street) and Mulgrave Street (from Aitken Street to Thorndon Quay/Featherston Street) will be closed from 8.30am until 10.30pm.

There will be restricted access to Bunny Street from Featherston and Stout Streets from 6am until 10.30pm, on Kate Sheppard Place there will be no exit onto Mulgrave Street from 8.30am until 10.30pm and on Stout Street (between Whitmore and Featherston streets) you’ll have to exit via a left turn onto Bunny Street from 8.30am until 10:30pm.

If you want to find out more about the Beldisloe Cup Fanzone, go to bledisloecupfever.co.nz

ENDS

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