Waipawa's Duck Day celebrates 25 years

Pawa has come to town, thanks to Stephenson Transport, and she's dressed up for her 25th anniversary.

The weather forecast looks promising and it's all go for this Saturday's 25th anniversary Waipawa Spring Festival.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of this hugely popular event, Pawa the Duck has been given a silver makeover courtesy of Stephenson Transport, the Timber Yard and CHB Motors ... call in and see them for your next special event, perhaps they can do you a similar look.

The Corporate Ducks are in a row, mostly, and are on show in the window of Kingfisher Gifts. Twenty-five lucky people have purchased the special-offer, limited-edition silver anniversary ducks for the silver duck race. These lucky punters even get to keep their duck.

Corporate ducks check the weather - it's looking good for Saturday.

For the keen punters out there, 1600 duck tickets are being snapped up - get your duck ticket today from any Waipawa retailer. The ducks are in the best form they've ever been in for this anniversary race - they're fit, they're fired up and they can't wait to get on the water.

The Corporate Duck Race is heating up too, with 60 finely-tuned racing ducks in the line-up. It's transport company vs transport company, law firm vs law firm. Who will take it out this year?

Be at the Waipawa River at 1.15pm on Saturday to find out.

As the excitement builds towards the big race, there will be plenty to do, see, eat, drink and buy on and around Waipawa's main shopping centre.

Stallholders have been keen to come out of their Covid-induced doldrums and embrace this event - there will be more than 50 stalls to tempt shoppers.

The sponge throw is back this year, sponsored by Mitre 10. Throw a sponge or get a sponge thrown at you to be in the draw to win a SodaStream and all the bits you need to get started, donated by Mitre 10 Waipukurau.

For those who feel the need to lose themselves in the day, a 12 x 12m inflatable maze will be on-site for your enjoyment.

There's still time to make a duck. Kids, get creating and bring your entry along on the day, from 9am until 11am, to the Lions tent around behind the library. Imagination is encouraged. No live ducks may be used!

After 11am the library will run a free, fun craft session.

Supporters have filled the spot prize pool to bursting point: Waipawa Pharmacy, Clock Shop, Tim Chite Appliances, Westpac, Baywide Credit Union, Clair Wynn and Mrs Chadwick, Index High St, Vet Services, the Library, Barnes Mossman and Kingfisher Gifts have all chipped in.

And for the art lovers there's really something special.

There's something so wonderful about Ronald McDonald House that all you have to do is mention an art auction and talented New Zealand artists drop everything to donate their time and create works of art for the cause. One of the artists is even a frequent resident at Ronald MacDonald House herself.

These are on display at Tim Chote Appliances in the lead-up to the Waipawa Spring Festival before being auctioned online, with all proceeds to Ronald McDonald House.