RWC 2011 action this weekend in Christchurch

Update of RWC 2011 activities in Christchurch

Presenting Canterbury

The Festival, which is designed to give locals and visitors the opportunity to taste and experience the best Canterbury has to offer, will be operating daily from this Saturday 8 to Sunday 23 October, 11am to 5pm in the area across from the Fanzone.

Exhibitors from around Canterbury, from Timaru to Kaikoura, have been asked to come and present the best from their area. The stands are free of charge for Canterbury businesses – they just need to set themselves up.

Entertainment includes morning puppet shows, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations at midday and 2pm daily and live music acts in the afternoons. There will also be retail stalls, face painting, a bouncy castle, court jesters, buskers and dance acts.

A series of marquees will be grouped around a central stage with a picnic area, where guests can relax and enjoy the products on offer. Entertainment will run throughout, encouraging visitors to make a day of it and it will change daily so locals can return for more.

COKE Rugbyfest @ Hagley

Christchurch may have missed out on hosting the big RWC 2011 quarter final match featuring New Zealand being played this Sunday 9 October – but it won’t be missing the party.

COKE Rugbyfest @ Hagley is set to be a huge celebration in North Hagley Park right next to the Fanzone this Sunday from 4pm to late, with Rugby celebrities, high profile entertainers and two giant screens showing live RWC 2011 quarter final action.

Prime Minister John Key is in Christchurch for the event and SKY will be doing live crosses between Eden Park and the Hagley Park Fanzone in the lead up to the New Zealand v Argentina match.

A crowd of 40,000 is expected at the free Rugby themed entertainment spectacular. The 24/7 alcohol ban in North Hagley Park has been enforced by police during the Tournament and will be in place for COKE Rugbyfest @ Hagley.

Patrons are advised to allow plenty of time for travel and parking, and to watch for signs indicating closed roads.

Live quarter final matches this Saturday 8:

6pm - Ireland v Wales
8:30pm England v France

Live quarter final matches this Sunday 9:

6pm – South Africa v Australia
8.30pm – New Zealand v Argentina

COKE Rugbyfest @ Hagley programme of events:

4pm MC: Simon Barnett
New Zealand Army Band
All Star Pride Cheer Team
Performance by Ngai Tahu cultural group
5:15pm ZED reunites for Christchurch
5:50pm RWC 2011 quarter-final: Australia v South Africa (LIVE on big screens)
Half-time: ZED "Renegade Fighter"
7.30pm The United Utilities of Christchurch Band
8:15pm RWC 2011 quarter final: New Zealand v Argentina (LIVE on big screens)
Half-time: The United Utilities of Christchurch Band
10:00pm COKE Rugbyfest Fireworks Finale

The Fanzone at Hagley Park will be open across the weekend with more entertainment and all RWC 2011 quarter final matches screened live. Visit www.christchurchnz2011.com for further details and the complete events schedule.

The Complete History of World Rugby (abridged)

Penned by The Outwits, Christchurch’s most experienced corporate entertainment group, specifically for Rugby World Cup 2011, The Complete History of World Rugby (abridged) will be performed in the Fanzone this Friday at 6pm.

The Outwits will romp through the history of world Rugby, tackling its greatest achievements, players, officials, coaches and tragedies in a fast-paced, action-packed presentation. This show has to be seen to be believed as it takes in the history of world rugby in under 90 minutes.

Performances will also be held next week from Tuesday 11 through to Friday 14 at 6pm daily (with Friday being their final performance).