Kerikeri gets ready for party to celebrate marathon milestone | Northland News | Local News in Northland

 A street party in Kerikeri this weekend promises to be the biggest the town has ever seen.

This Saturday is the 20th anniversary of the Kerikeri half marathon, one of Northland's biggest sporting events with 2490 entrants running and walking the 21km from Okaihau to the Kerikeri Domain.

But as big as the half marathon has been in previous years, the spin-offs for Kerikeri have been short-lived  as most out-of-town contestants  left soon after finishing the event.  This year, a street party will give entrants every reason to stick around for the night.

Co-organiser Anika Whapshott, of Blah Blah Marketing, said Kerikeri Rd would be sealed off between Homestead Rd and Fairway Drive at 3.30pm, with the party kicking off at 5pm.

Seating would be set up in the street for al fresco dining, with two wine bars offering the best of  nine vineyards.
 

More than 20 food stalls will showcase the menus of Kerikeri restaurants and shops will stay open for bargain hunters. Two bands - jazz-funk fusion act Thelonuis Punk and country rockers Risky Business - will keep grown-ups entertained, while kids will be treated to free facepainting and a roaming magician.

The free event had been funded by Kerikeri and Waipapa businesses, so no ratepayer money had been spent.

Kerikeri's Farmers Market will be extended by an hour on Sunday for those in need of a sleep-in the morning after.

The party is the brainchild of a group of Kerikeri B&B owners who got together 18 months ago to come up with ways of attracting more visitors.

Cedar Corban, of Magnolia House, said it had already proved a success with 85-90 per cent of accommodation providers fully booked.  Sport Northland, which organises the Kerikeri Great Sights  Half Marathon, had wanted to expand the event for years and was "over the moon" with the party.

 Kerikeri police Senior Sergeant Peter Robinson said extra staff had been rostered on for traffic control during the event and to keep an eye on the street party afterwards. He was not anticipating any trouble.

The street party runs from 5pm-9pm on Kerikeri Rd,  November 21. Everyone who buys food, drink or an item from the shops qualifies for an 8.30pm prize draw. Revellers coming from Paihia can catch a bus from the maritime building at 4.45pm and catch a ride back at 9pm. Bus tickets cost $5; to book a seat call (09) 402 7421 or  visit the Fullers office in Paihia's Maritime Building.