Rotorua Stockcar Club secretary Sonja Hickey hopes the weather doesn't postpone the annual fireworks display. Photo/Ben Fraser
UPDATE: The fireworks meeting has been postponed to Saturday November 11 due to the weather.
EARLIER:
Families across Rotorua will be looking forward to celebrating Guy Fawkes this weekend but the weather is threatening to rain on everyone's parade.
The annual Metal Solutions (BOP) Ltd Fireworks Meeting at the Paradise Valley Raceway is scheduled to run from 7pm to 10pm tonight.
However, Metservice is forecasting rain from today through to Sunday.
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Rotorua Stockcar Club secretary Sonja Hickey is helping organise the annual stockcar meet and fireworks show and is keeping a close eye on the weather.
"It's not looking too good but hopefully it holds off."
She said there was no specific time that the fireworks will go off but the display will last around 15 minutes.
"Once it's dark and the place is filled, we will let the fireworks off. We don't want it to be too late because we know it will be hard for the little kids to stay up all night."
Some of the fireworks will be let off from the infield of the raceway while the bigger ones will be let off from a paddock behind the stockcar pits.
Hickey said last year's attendance was around 6000 people and she expected a similar number tonight.
If the event is postponed due to rain, the display will be held on Saturday, November 11.
Entry is $55 for a family, $25 for an adult and $10 for a child.
If the event is postponed it will be posted on the Rotorua Stockcar Club Inc. Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Warehouse Rotorua store manager Sally Rison said fireworks sales had been going well.
Legally, fireworks can only be sold from November 2 to 5.
"There's been a steady flow of people coming in but the weekend will probably be the craziest."
Rotorua Fire Brigade fire risk management officer Stuart Bootten said people should take extra care handling fireworks this Guy Fawkes.
"We recommend that people go to a standard display, but we know that's not always practical.
"People just need to be considerate of any neighbours or pets and keep fireworks away from children."
TIPS TO STAY SAFE WHILE USING FIREWORKS
- Read firework instructions before using them.
- Use torches for lighting, not naked flames.
- Don't attempt to reignite fireworks that don't go off.
- Keep unused fireworks in a bag
- Keep a bucket or hose nearby incise there is a fire.
- If suffered, run a burn under cold water for 20 minutes.
- Don't drink alcohol while using fireworks.
- Stuart Bootten
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