Another big weekend for Kawerau

A mural by landscape artist Bela Ughy at Kawerau. Photo/Supplied

Kawerau's 60th anniversary celebrations went off with a bang - and there's another big weekend ahead for the town.

The weekend's events included a cultural day in Prideaux Park, while more than 300 people attended the Sir James Fletcher Kawerau Museum opening of 1954 - A Year of Beginnings.

Displays included amateur footage shot in 1954 showing people living and working around the community.

The weekend was full of stories from Kawerau's past and present, some at the anniversary dinner and show at the Cosmopolitan Club which was sold out more than a week in advance. Three-term councillor and owner of the Bay of Plenty's first supermarket, Ron Wells, returned to Kawerau to organise a reunion of retailers and business people and there was a combined church service in the Town Hall.

Three new murals by landscape artist Bela Ughy were also unveiled. They are three of five historical murals which back on to the main highway through the town and were commissioned for the Paint New Zealand Beautiful campaign.

The scenes were chosen after consultation with a number of long-time Kawerau residents and depict icons from the early days of the town. The final two murals are to be painted in the next two to three weeks.

Meanwhile this Saturday, rafters will take to the Tarawera River rapids for the 10th Seriously Social Rafting Comp. The event is open to anyone keen to give competitive rafting a try.

The newly created river walkway - a finalist in the 2014 NZ Wood Timber Awards - is perfect for viewing the rafting and other whitewater activities, while the Waterhouse St Reserve lends itself to a picnic and walk amongst the trees.

The Dog Agility Champs at Prideaux Park and the Kawerau Youth Council Skate Park Jam will also take place.

Kawerau District Council team leader, events and community activities Lee Barton said there was something for everyone.

"After the community organised and celebrated the town's 60th birthday last week, everyone can once again enjoy another energetic weekend of activities in the township."