[Lara Croft]

Hi everyone.
This will be our first November in NZ, and I wondered if anyone knew of any firework displays /bonfires on the Kapiti Coast?

Also, where can we buy fireworks? I know the rules are much stricter here, and you can only buy them a few days before, but where from???!?!?

Thanks,
J

[Leccy-Lee]

I am sure theres a display somewhere, i know Wellington had a great one last year, if you fancied driving into town? They had fireworks set off from helicopters overhead even! I be down there again i hope.

No idea on buying them, but i think i saw local diary's with some last year, but i am sure it will become more obvious as we get closer. All i remember was yes they have stricter rules on buying them, but they seem incredibly relaxed on safety and public use! Petone foreshore last year was full of families that had drove down with there boxes of fireworks and just set them all off on the beach, the entire beach from one end to the other was just packed, with fireworks being set off in peoples hands, and loads just a few a feet away from families and children. And most not fully pushed into beach so many fell over and fired sideways. To be honest i had never seen such dangerous activities and amazed nobody was hurt. It would not even be legal in UK, as it would classed as public place and illegal.

So on the one hand to me, they have strict rules on when you can buy them, and what you can buy (think cheap poor fireworks, no decent ones i saw on sale). But on the other hand they seem to have no rules or regard for public safety in there use. I stick to Wellingtons main public display i think.

PS: Dont expect any bonfires or "traditional" displays like torch processions etc. Over here it is merely "fireworks night", i got funny looks when i mentioned bonfires and "torchlight processions etc" last year. Which me coming from Sussex and its traditional bonfire boys and set customs etc was a shame.

[Leccy-Lee]

I know you asked Kapati, but heres Wellingtons spectacular display if you fancy a drive?
http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.html?event_id=5009537

[jess]

I don't see any on the Kapiti events calendar (http://www.naturecoast.co.nz/component/option,com_events/Itemid,81/task,view_month/day,1/month,11/year,2008/mod_cal_year,2008/mod_cal_month,11/), but we're in the hills, and we always see them from the weekend before to the weekend after - mostly down at the beach - with a big cluster at Param. Not as big as you'd see in Welly though. It looks nice from the hills but much of that is individuals setting them off all over the coast.

I don't actually know where to get them, but they're only available from Nov. 2nd to the 5th.

[IanW99]

Hi everyone.
This will be our first November in NZ, and I wondered if anyone knew of any firework displays /bonfires on the Kapiti Coast?

Also, where can we buy fireworks? I know the rules are much stricter here, and you can only buy them a few days before, but where from???!?!?

Thanks,
J

Don't know of any on the Kapiti coast but there are 3 that I know of around the Wellington region of which the one posted by Leccy-Lee is no doubt the best.

You will be able to buy fireworks from many places from the 2nd till the 5th November. Shops such as New World and the Warehouse will have really big displays of fireworks that you won't be able to miss.

Ian

[IanW99]

...
PS: Dont expect any bonfires or "traditional" displays like torch processions etc. Over here it is merely "fireworks night", i got funny looks when i mentioned bonfires and "torchlight processions etc" last year. Which me coming from Sussex and its traditional bonfire boys and set customs etc was a shame.

I've not seen any torch processions in the UK either, so not too bothered about them.

We went to the Upper Hutt fireworks a couple of years ago and that was a better familiy event than the Wellington display with a bit more of a carnival spirit.

Now the bad news is that this is scheduled for 1st November and you are busy that night :yes so better hope for rain (it will be rescheduled for 2nd in that case).

Ian

[Lara Croft]

Wow - that was quick, thanks all!

IanW99, what's happening on the 1st November???


J

[IanW99]

Wow - that was quick, thanks all!

IanW99, what's happening on the 1st November???


J

Well for Leccy-Lee, he is going to watch the Feelers in concert at Paraparam.

For others, they could go to the Upper Hutt fireworks display.

Ian

[Steven & Ann]

Expect to see fireworks on sale in the warehouse

[jackie m]

Yes there is every year at Lara's school also a large fund raiser for the school :nice1

Saturday the 15th November very well organised plenty of things to do before the display aswell.

Gates open at 5pm Kenakena School Donovan Road if any one is interested.

Jackie

[Leccy-Lee]

Well for Leccy-Lee, he is going to watch the Feelers in concert at Paraparam.

Ian, either you have a very good memory for posts my friend or your stalking me? LOL


I've not seen any torch processions in the UK either, so not too bothered about them

Its a Sussex thing, every sussex town/village has a set of "Bonfire Boys" and each weekend for many weeks its the turn of another town to have there do, and each visits each others.. Its one the towns major events of the year, and the ending firework display is just a small part the festivities. I never expected to see any here so its all good.

For anyone interested..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sussex_Bonfire_Societies

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/234/792pxlewesbonfirelewesbqb9.jpg

[Lara Croft]

Thanks all.
Can anyone suggest where and when to see the Hutt display (1st November)?

Cheers!
J

[IanW99]

Thanks all.
Can anyone suggest where and when to see the Hutt display (1st November)?

Cheers!
J

We did have a flyer recently with the details, but that has since been recycled.

Best I can do, is the following details:-


1 November, Fireworks Fantastic
Live entertainment, food stalls and children’s rides followed by Upper Hutt’s annual Fireworks Fantastic – a family friendly event not to be missed.
Venue: Trentham Memorial Park, Fergusson Drive, Trentham, Upper Hutt, phone 527 2141, visit www.upperhuttcity.com

Not been able to find the details on the website? But the phone number and location may be of use.

I do remember that the flyer said that if it rains on Saturday then it will be postponed till the Sunday.

Ian

[Leccy-Lee]

/hopes it rains ;)
Then i can come Sunday.... Sorry

[IanW99]

/hopes it rains ;)
Then i can come Sunday.... Sorry

Should also mention that there is a charge. IIRC it was $5 per person, but I could be wrong?

Ian

[Moorf]

Its a Sussex thing, every sussex town/village has a set of "Bonfire Boys"

Ohhh, the Lewes one was always good (often controversial with the effigies burnt) - stopped going when, during one procession, I was almost hit with a firework - used to get a bit manic....

[Big Puku]

We went to the Upper Hutt one at Trentham Memorial Park last year, and it was really good - they have bands & entertainment on before it gets dark enough for the fireworks (around 9pm, gates open at 6.30pm) - we took a rug and blankets for the kids as it got a bit chilly after dark.

It's on the 1st Nov (Sat), with postponement the day after if wet. $5 entry.

Matt

[Lara Croft]

Thanks - sounds good!

J