Rugby World Cup 2011 final celebrations - the best saved for last

A massive street parade – starting from Rotorua’s Lakefront, and proceeding through Eat Streat and Government Gardens, to its final destination of Energy Events Centre – will mark the beginning of the end of the city’s Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC2011) celebrations.

Rotorua locals are being encouraged to get dressed in their favourite team colours and head to the Lakeside Village Green on 23 October by 4pm to take part in the parade. The parade will then make its way to the Energy Events Centre for the final Fanzone which will offer an array of entertainment before screening live coverage of the RWC2011 grand final match.

Rotorua District Council events manager Martin Croft says the street parade promises to be a fun-filled affair with lots of music and laughter along the way.

“People can join in the parade from anywhere enroute. It doesn’t matter what team fans support. We’re all world cup fans wanting to share the spirit of this significant occasion.”

Doors to the last Fanzone open at 5pm to tie in with the parade’s arrival, followed by four hours of fun, entertainment, food, prizes, and the Kidzone all lined-up before the RWC2011 final kicks off on the huge screen at 9pm.

Mr Croft says in terms of putting on a topnotch Fanzone event, local organisers have saved the best for last.

“Our previous six Fanzones have been awesome with attendance numbers hitting over 10,000 to date. However the final Fanzone promises to be just a little bit more special, and will provide the opportunity to also acknowledge our fantastic volunteers who have helped make our local Rugby World Cup 2011 events so successful.”