Families head to track for fun day out
Hawke's Bay Racing is gearing up for the silly season with race days providing the perfect place for family picnics, live music and fun in the sun.
On January 1 and 13, Hawke's Bay Racecourse in Hastings will host the Interislander Summer Festival, part of a nationwide series which has swelled in popularity over the past six years.
Club representative Greg Howie said they were predicting record numbers this season as more families discovered entertainment at the races.
"[It] is the best way for families to take in the atmosphere and excitement of holiday races and experience a great Kiwi summertime tradition," he said.
The Festival was affordable for everyone, with children under 18 years getting in free with adult tickets from $10.
There will be popular Kids Go Racing events and activities for under-12s with an equine theme with classics such as pin-the-tail-on-the-horse and a horse shoe toss.
Kids will also get a chance to meet Hopples or Stirrup - the friendly Interislander Summer Festival horse mascots.
This year the Interislander Summer Festival has grown to include 40 events, with holiday races in summer hotspots from Ruakaka in the north to Coromandel, Taupo, and Nelson, Gore, as well as Christchurch, Wellington and Ellerslie in Auckland.
