Keating star power in non-stop fun weekend

HINERANGI VAIMOSO | 5th February 2010

One would be hard pressed to find an excuse to stay home this weekend with events to interest the whole family happening throughout Hawke's Bay.

Waitangi Day festivities will start first thing tomorrow morning with waka rides, stalls, a touch tournament and plenty of music set up at Farndon Park near the bridge in Clive.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out to the event or an outdoor screening of Mamma Mia at the park tonight from 7pm.

Ronan Keating will be the biggest star in town this weekend, here to perform in Taradale to a potential crowd of 9000.

Organisers of tomorrow night's Church Rd Winery concert, where the Irish star is headlining, said there were still about 2000 tickets available. Keating, who touches down in Napier tomorrow morning after a show in Christchurch tonight, will be supported by Matt Joe Gow and his band from Australia.

Central Hawke's Bay will be busy too with the annual WETA Festival, a celebration of local wine, food and artistic culture.

The 19th annual festival will also feature a healthy helping of jazz and the opportunity to see chef demonstrations.

Close to $100,000 worth of prizes will be up for grabs throughout the weekend for the top catches in the Coruba Mega Game Fishing Competition in Napier.

It will be the third and last day of competition tomorrow with prizegiving at the Hawke's Bay Sports Fishing Club on Nelson Quay, Napier.

Hastings resident won't miss out on any action with music at Cornwall Park scheduled for Sunday.

The jazz and blues concerts are part of the annual free Summer in the Parks series.

Even if you live in Te Awanga, there will be music to see this weekend. Chill Pill, a DJ set featuring Floyd and Lil B, postponed due to wet weather last weekend, will take place this Sunday from 1pm to 6pm.

Tomorrow's weather for the Bay cities is expected to be warm with morning cloud clearing.