Start your engines for Americana 2020

Start your engines! AmeriCARna is roaring back into town. South Taranaki welcomes back the popular car event to Hāwera and Ōpunakē.

“There are about 700 cars registered - so there will be plenty to look at,” says South Taranaki District Council’s community events coordinator Hayley Old.

On Wednesday 19 February, AmeriCARna heads to Ōpunakē Beach from 11.30am. There will be live music by local entertainers, food from local vendors and community fundraisers, and the beach shop will also be open. The cars depart at 2.30pm.

On Friday 21 February, the cars will head to Hāwera from Stratford (via Kaponga and Manaia along State Highway 45) and line Hāwera’s CBD for the afternoon. The town square will be filled with live music from ‘Just Us’ and be busy with the usual market day through High Street. Cars will arrive in town at 1pm and depart at 5.15pm

Bizlink Hāwera has organised an AmeriCARna fashion parade (starting at 4.00pm in the square) as well as a scavenger hunt on the day.

The Stop/Go event will once again be held on Albion Street from 2.30pm, with cars being timed over the 80 metres to the finish line. About 30 vehicles are registered for the sprints, so you can expect to see and hear plenty of action on the day. Alongside the Stop/Go event will be the Harley Davidson Stunt Riders, who will put on a show of tricks and wheelies, so be sure to get along to see this!

“We are really excited to have AmeriCARna return to South Taranaki. The Ōpunakē and Hāwera communities and businesses really get behind it, creating great atmosphere in town,” says Hayley. “It is important to make sure motorists take extra care on the roads at all times and be patient. Plan ahead as it may take you a little longer to get where you are heading due to road closures.”

Road closures during the AmeriCARna events:

• On Wednesday 19 February, Beach Road in Ōpunakē will be closed to all vehicles (except AmeriCARna cars). We recommend that spectators park on a side street and walk down to the beach.
• On Friday 21 February, cars will be parked on High Street (from Argyle St to Caledonia Street), Regent Street (from High Street to Little Regent Street), Union Street (for 80 metres from High Street) and in the Community Centre carpark. Albion Street (from High Street to Rowe Street) will also be closed for the Stop/Go event.

AmeriCARna Ōpunakē Beach, Wednesday 19th February 11.30am–2.30pm.

AmeriCARna Hāwera CBD, Friday 21st February, 1pm–5.15pm.