Big screens, bands and junior rugby to celebrate 'One Year to Go'

This September marks one year to go until Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off in New Zealand and Taupo is celebrating this milestone with live music and games outside the Great Lake Centre, as well as welcoming the inaugural New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival at Owen Delany Park.

On Saturday 11 September from 11am to 1pm Taupo is holding special ‘One Year to Go’ celebrations at the Great Lake Centre courtyard and the public is encouraged to come along and join in the festivities.

Taupo’s giant new big screen will be playing a special ‘One Year to Go’ video presentation featuring All Black of the Century and Taupō2011 Ambassador Sir Colin “Pinetree” Meads, ex-New Zealand Māori All Black representative Jim Maniapoto and more, as well as an exciting look at what is to come in 2011.

Classic Hits morning announcer Brendon Weatherly will be hosting the event, with entertainment by local music acts and a goal kicking competition on the North Domain. Prizes include rugby balls, AC Baths and rock-wall passes and a three month gym membership. Spot prizes will also be given out on the day, with the major prize of a weekend for two in Hawkes Bay, thanks to Classic Hits.

The New Zealand Junior Rugby Tournament, designed for under 10 to under 13 rugby teams from around the country, will be played at Owen Delany Park the same weekend. The tournament, the first of what will be an annual festival, kicks off at 9am with a massive Ka Mate haka involving around 1,000 junior players. King Country Rugby CEO and Taupō2011 committee deputy chair David Trewavas is delighted that Owen Delany Park is hosting the tournament. “It’s a chance for junior rugby players of all skill levels to get together and just enjoy the game. What better way to celebrate one year to go than with this inaugural rugby event.”

Retailers in the district will also be getting into ‘cup fever’ with a special Taupō2011 signage tape displayed in their windows. TownCentre Taupo General Manager Kylie Hawker says the tape is to remind shoppers of the upcoming event and to help retailers feel a part of the action. “You will also see around town we are going to fly the flags of the three nations that Taupo is hosting during the cup; South Africa, Wales, and Ireland, and of course the New Zealand flag.”

Ex-pat South African, Welsh and Irish immigrants living in the Taupo district will be treated to an exclusive meet & greet evening at the Great Lake Centre on Friday 10 September as a way of recognising the three teams being hosted here. For more information and to register on the ex-pats database email info@taupo2011.com