Warm and sunny Labour Day weekend brings Whanganui outdoors

The fireworks display at Fast Lane Spares Oceanview Family Speedway was a much-anticipated Labour Day weekend event.

What a long weekend!

Three fine days with plenty of sun and warm temperatures drew Whanganui people outdoors for the first extra day off since winter.

It felt like summer as many dusted off the barbecue or took a dip in their favourite swimming spot.

On Sunday night Whanganui skies lit up with colour and filled with sound as the Wanganui Stockcar and Speedway Club season got under way.

The grand opening meeting at Fast Lane Spares Oceanview Family Speedway was marked with a fireworks display put on by the Kairanga Lions Club in front of the hundreds who turned out to the Whanganui track to watch the entertainment across a range of racing classes.

Nine-year-olds Jay-Jay Burkin and Haylen James struck the right balance, getting a McDonalds lunch and a long bike ride on Labour Day. Photo/ Bevan Conley.

The North Mole was packed on Monday with several sets of fingers crossed for a good catch.

Meanwhile, Nine-year-olds Jay-Jay Burkin and Haylen James enjoyed a bike ride along both sides of the Whanganui River on Monday which earned them a McDonald's lunch and an icecream to cool off later in the afternoon.

The North Mole was the place to be for keen anglers to enjoy an extra day off. Photo/ Bevan Conley

That's all after hundreds turned out to cheer on Steelform Wanganui in their Meads Cup semifinal under the Saturday afternoon sun.

Let's not mention the score though...

The Wharf St boat ramp was a busy place with many using the long weekend to get out on the water. Photo/ Bevan Conley