Katikati’s weekend to mark 150 years since the arrival of the Ulster Irish settlers in 1875 is about to rev up!
With a bunch of free events on in the town tomorrow, September 13, one chance to travel back in time to the town’s early days will be via a vehicle parade at 10am.
The parade – which will be led by Katikati resident Doug Brown in his signature ‘ECOAVO’ 1930 Ford AA pick-up truck – will begin at Moore Park and proceed right on to Middlebrook Drive, straight on to Carisbrooke St, then left onto Beach Rd and left into Talisman Drive where vehicles will park near the new Town Square next to the library, where free entertainment will be on offer throughout the day.
Driver Peter Adams with Tony Hall, Doug Brown, Peter Lawn and Murray Tom and their vehicles, ready for Saturday’s parade. Photo / Merle Cave
Brown, who this week marked 50 years since moving to Katikati, was at the 100th anniversary of the Ulster Irish in Katikati back in 1975. “Back then, I just fell into it and had a great time. Now I’m about to lead the vehicle parade for the 150th!”
Brown said 50 years had flown past and he felt quite an emotional affinity to Katikati. “I think it’s great the town is marking 150th. This time there’s much more going on for the event because you must remember 50 years ago, there were a lot less people living here.”
Brown said the street parade would have a range of older beauties joining in – from veteran vehicles built before December 31, 1918, to vintage vehicles, to anything classic, which needed to be 30 years old. The local Flegg brothers’ military vehicles would make an appearance, and the Bay of Plenty Pipes & Drums group would provide the march and play in the parade.
Many Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club members will enter their vehicles, but Brown welcomed any other vintage and classic vehicle owners to participate in the free event.
“We’re mustering the vehicles at 9am at the rugby club and the parade will begin 10am. We are not sure of numbers but think we could get anything from 30 vehicles upwards.”
Spectators were invited to line the parade route to view the vehicles, and join in the free fun on offer at the Town Square afterwards.