Rotorua is set to be a hive of activity this long weekend with a range of events on offer from a beer festival to a bike festival, and everything in between.
Okere Falls Store is hosting its 11th annual Beerfest and its sell-out Saturday event will be packed with locals and visitors to Rotorua.
Okere Falls Store owner Sarah Uhl said extra staff would be in place and everyone was excited and "ready to roll".
Uhl said the success of the event had continued to grow since its inception and the "same recipe" would be used for the festival this time round.
On the menu would be beer tasting, traditional German cuisine and live entertainment.
But Uhl said the event was not all about drinking beer.
Nicky Weber (left) and Anthea Ogilvieenjoy the atmosphere of last year's Okere Falls Beerfest. Photo / File
"It's about a festival, the food, the music, it's a real celebration," she said.
If it's fresh air and exercise you're after, this year's Rotorua Bike Festival has started and there are plenty of events on this weekend to get the community's legs spinning.
Ride the Runway is one of the festival's crowd favourites, and is on tomorrow.
Organiser Mark Leishman said he was excited and looking forward to the event, though it had been slightly hectic making sure everything was in place.
He encouraged people to go along to Ride the Runway because it was a fun family day out.
"It's a cool open place to ride with a smooth track and no cars."
People of all ages take part in last year's Ride the Runway event as part of the Rotorua Bike Festival. Photo / File
He said there would also be fun things to do off the runway, including a skills area for children, a reverse steering bike challenge, inflatable bouncy slide and castle, coffee carts, DJ Rio and Mercury Energy bringing out its electric bike demonstration fleet.
He encourages people to pace themselves and try check out a bunch of Rotorua Bike Festival events over the weekend.
Leishman said it was cool to celebrate the opportunities biking could give people through the festival.
"It's really important to support the events because we've got some great people doing great things."
For more information about Rotorua Bike Festival events go to rotoruabikefestival.com.
Another event in Rotorua this weekend which will draw crowds to a number of locations is Pistang Pilipino 2018.
"I would say our lakes are a big drawcard for people, and the forest is a huge drawcard as well in good weather, particularly for mountain biking."
Brownrigg said Rotorua's wide variety of activities available for all ages and families was also a great feature of the city.
"When they come and see what we have they are amazed and in awe."
What's on this Labour Weekend Friday, October 19-Sunday, October 21: Pistang Pilipino 2018 sa Rotorua (Philippine Festival 2018 in Rotorua). Many venues around Rotorua, including food festival and entertainment at Government Gardens. More information at pistangfilipino.org.nz. Saturday, October 20: Rotorua Plate Day. 12pm to 5pm. Arawa Park Racecourse, Fenton St. Free admission. Saturday, October 20: Twilight Concert in the Carpark. 7pm to 9pm. Victory Church, 39 Old Taupō Rd. Free admission. Saturday, October 20: Friends of the Rotorua Library Book Sale. 9am to 1pm. Kuirau Park, Corner of Ranolf St and Lake Rd. Free admission. Saturday, October 20: Soundshell Market. Lakefront Village Green. 9am to 2pm. Free admission. Saturday, October 20: Rotorua branch of the NZ Society of genealogists morning workshop. Bridge Club, Neil Hunt park. 9am. Presenter is the author David Hastings speaking on life aboard the 19th century immigrant ships to NZ. $10 for non-branch members. Morning tea provided. Saturday, October 20-Sunday, October 21: Ngongotahā Museum Fundraiser - Hobby and Model Expo Labour Weekend. 9am to 4pm. Ngongotahā Community Hall, School Rd. Entry by gold coin. Sunday, October 21: Lake Tarawera Spring Fair, 10am to 3pm, Stoney Point Reserve Spencer Rd. Free entry. Cash fair. 12pm, Lake Tarawera Sailing Club auction. Sunday, October 21: Rotorua Ukebox - Ukulele Open Mic Sessions. 3pm to 5pm. Te Runanga Tea House, Queens Drive, Government Gardens. Free admission. Sunday, October 21: Rotorua Farmers Market. 9am to 1pm. Te Manawa, Corner of Tutanekai and Hinemoa St. Free admission. Sunday, October 21: Geyserland Country Music Club meeting. 1pm to 4.30pm. Rotorua Bowling Club. $5 door charge for non-members. Sunday, October 21: Tranquility Zone Guided Meditation.10am to 11am. Rotorua Arts Village, Eric Bridgeman Room. All welcome. Free. For more information call (027) 602 1608. Sunday, October 21: Rotorua Settlers and Steam Museum (Te Amorangi). 10am to 4pm. Robinson Ave, Holdens Bay. For details call (07) 345 9525.
Rotorua Bike Festival events over labour weekend Saturday - Stars, spokes & tent poles: Pack a tent, a sleeping bag, togs and some food and have an overnight adventure. 4pm to 12pm (Sunday). Meet at the Visitors Centre, Redwoods, Long Mile Rd. Cost: Good environmental karma. - Bike Speedway: A short and fast race to see who has the horsepower to take the chequered flag on the grass oval. 11am to 2pm. Waipa Mountain Bike and event area. Gold Coin - Whaka Shootout TT: The world's best cross country riders battle it out on a 1.9km course full of thrills and spills. 2pm to 5pm. Waipa HQ. Sunday - Whaka100 MTB marathon: Two days of action from children to elite. 7am to 7pm. Waipa Forest. $20 to $320 to enter. - Ride the Runway: A once a year opportunity to experience the thrill of flying free along the smooth car-free Rotorua Airport Runway. 8.30am to 11am. Rotorua Airport. Free. - The Great Electric Bike Challenge: A scavenger hunt with a list of locations, objects and information to bring back to the finish. 1pm to 4pm. Government Gardens. Free. Rental bikes on site. - Outdoor Movie Night in the Redwoods: For members of Young & Local, a social group for people aged 25 to 35. $10. Monday - Dash to the Caldera: Test what electric bikes are capable of with a dash up 430m of elevation with a spectacular 360 degree view. 10am to 1pm. Omania Farm, 976 Te Ngae Rd. $30 with own bike or options to rent from $49 to 69. Proceeds go to Bay of Plenty Rural Support. Leg powered bikes welcome too. - Revolve Dipper Dash: A loop race around the 3km dipper trail in the Whakarewarewa Forest. 1pm to 3pm. Whakarewarewa forest, Baker's Hollow (at intersection of Dipper and Tahi) $10 per rider. - Redwoods Coast: Fun you can have on a chainless bike, downhill with a tail wind. 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Carpark on Long Mile Rd outside Redwoods Visitors centre. Over the weekend - Te Manawa Community Hub - Pedal Powered Scavenger Hunt - A passport to prizes For more Rotorua Bike Festival information go to rotoruabikefestival.com.
