Action packed weekend at Remarkables Park

Cars, market stalls and mountain bikes all warmed up a wintry weekend for Queenstown’s Remarkables Park.

On Saturday (June 30) thousands of visitors descended on Remarkables Park to attend the inaugural Remarkables Car Fair and Queenstown Winter Festival mid-winter Remarkables Market.

On Sunday (July 1) spectators enjoyed high-speed action in the One Square Meal Cyclocross series course set up by the Kawarau River at Remarkables Park.

Remarkables Park Ltd Communications and Projects Manager Olivia Porter said she and the team were still ‘fizzing’ about the hugely successful weekend.

“The first ever Remarkables Car Fair was full of variety with cars from $800 to more expensive vehicles including Audis, Alfa Romeos and Landrovers. In all there were more than 40 cars parked up for viewing,” she said.

“The first car arrived at 8.30am for a 10am start, and there was a lot of interest, a few test drives and numbers exchanged.

“Based on the very encouraging response and positive feedback, the Remarkables Car Fair is set to become a regular monthly event with the next one scheduled for August 4, from 10am to 1pm.”

As part of the Queenstown Winter Festival, the ever popular Mid-winter Remarkables Market was also exceptionally busy with more than 2500 visitors braving a frosty blue sky morning to find local and regional delights. As the sun warmed up, kids enjoyed a free bouncy castle and face painting, and adults relaxed to music by Marc Hamilton.

“There were 65 stallholders including 10 new stalls who enjoyed busy debuts,” said Miss Porter. “The car park was extremely busy all day as people came out to enjoy all the market offerings and fabulous atmosphere.”

Miss Porter said people had been asking for more ‘ready to eat’ food and were delighted to find tasty delights including Flying Trestles’ mouthwatering  wraps, Grant’s ever popular Bacon Butties, QAMPI BBQ pork skewers, and a Queenstown Primary School fundraising stall with pumpkin soup and cheese rolls at the market.

“Crisp & Vale’s outstanding Seafood Chowder didn’t last long and thanks to Eat Humble Pies, and Bonjour Café’s mulled wine, everyone was kept warm and full.”

Miss Porter said it was fabulous to wrap up a busy weekend and host the One Square Meal Cyclocross race.

“It was a great success, a beautiful sunny afternoon that ensured plenty of action for spectators.”

The mountain biking event was race two of the National Cyclocross National Series and part of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival.

Cyclocross event organiser Carey Vivian said 50 riders from New Zealand and all over the world competed in the race.

"The spectators that lined the course cheering the competitors on really made the race for everyone,” he said.

“The added peer pressure of trying to ride through a muddy bog with everyone watching was great.”

USA Cyclocross professional Katie Compton was chased by Kim Hammer-Hurst (Wellington) and Anya McDonald (Dunedin), but was too strong for her New Zealand competitors and won the womens’ division.

Kiwi’s came out on top however of the mens’ division with Alex Revell of Wellington taking first place, followed by Logan Horn of Christchurch and Mark Legg-Compton of the USA coming third.

The next Cyclocross event at Remarkables Park is scheduled for Sunday July 22. For a full NZ Cyclocross event calendar go to www.nzcyclocross.co.nz/calendar-of-cx-events

Further information on the Remarkables Car Fair and Remarkables Market is available on the Remarkables Park website www.remarkablespark.com/community