Flochella is being held in Rotorua this year. Photo / File
Flochella is being held in Rotorua this year. Photo / File
Rotorua's 2018 events calendar is shaping up to be a cracker with some great new entries sitting alongside some of the city's favourites.
For the first time Tikitapu (Blue Lake) will host Flochella and the New Zealand Bomb Competition after organisers of the two events were unable to get Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board's permission to have Flochella back in Taupo in 2018.
As well as action at the lake, the Melt Festival of Chocolate is another newcomer to the calendar and promises to make Easter Weekend in Rotorua a celebration of cocoa.
Then there's the likes of the Summer Seafood Festival, only in its third year this year but already proving to be a huge hit with locals and visitors.
The new and relatively new will sit alongside tried and trusted events that have garnered huge popularity over the years, including Rotorua's Lakeside concert, Crankworx and the Rotorua Marathon.
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said the new events to be held in Rotorua were a great fit with what already existed.
"We are a destination city for tourists," Chadwick said. "Because of this we are fortunate enough to only have to focus on what fits for Rotorua as opposed to trying to lure people here. The numbers of people are already in our favour."
She said Flochella was a great fit for Tikitapu while the Melt Festival had already attracted a lot of local interest.
"I've had lots of people tell me they think Melt is a fabulous idea and that they can't wait to go along."
Alia Ryan, managing director of Boost Events, is the brains behind Melt.
"I came up with the Melt concept as a way of taking people in Rotorua to the next level of what is happening in the city at the time.
"It's about giving people a reason to explore Rotorua a little more while they are here."
Having just finished organising the Glo Festival, Ryan said she would now be turning her head to Melt which is to be held over four days at Easter.
Also to be held at Easter is the Studebaker Nationals 2018 which will see the Studebakers Drivers Club of New Zealand celebrate its 50th anniversary in conjunction with its 25th national event. Up to 60 Studebakers and 180 Studebaker enthusiasts will be in Rotorua on March 31.
Sports enthusiasts will be looking forward to the TWS World Invitation Stockcar Champs, the New Zealand National Rugby Sevens Tournament and the Blue Lake Multisport Festival this month but will have to wait a little longer for the Xterra, the Tarawera Ultramarathon, the Rotorua Marathon, Crankworx and the Moonride.
Crankworx will be celebrating its fourth year in Rotorua, attracting thousands to the city over the nine days it is held.
Rotorua Summer Seafood Festival.
Stan Walker is headlining the third Te Arawa Fisheries Summer Seafood Festival on February 3 and will be joined by a contingent of other local performers. The festival promises an abundance of seafood and the best craft beer and wine from around the region.
As well as the big-name festivals and events, there are a few lesser-knowns featuring on the 2018 calendar.
The Lake Rotoiti Classic and Wooden Boat Parade is being held for the 21st time early next month and the 100 per cent Flavour Aotearoa Cuban Festival is being run in late February.
With all of the festivals and sporting events taking place, it's easy to overlook the regular markets held around the city. Don't forget the Rotorua Night Market, the Rotorua Farmers Market, the Soundshell Market and the Rotary Market. There's art trails, workshops, holiday programmes, swims and mountain bike races, all taking place in Rotorua 2018.
This is a snapshot of what is on in Rotorua this year, for more information and events, check out www.rotoruanz.com or www.eventfinda.co.nz.
