Sometimes things just fall into place. So it was with our visit to nearby Napier from our base in Hastings; it just happened to coincide with the annual Art Deco Weekend.
Art Deco Weekend is a festival that celebrates the town's rich Art Deco influence as the distinctive architecture style was chosen when Napier was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1931.
With jazz, classic cars, historic aircraft, competitions and fine dining, the festival attracts visitors from all over the country and internationally; most seemed to be in period dress too.
Jazz on the Beach
Classic Cars
The main street was closed to traffic for a series of soap box car races. Clearly parents had been busy perfecting the design of these gravity powered racers before entrusting them to their youngsters to drive. The safety barriers were lined with spectators. Clearly great fun was being had.
Soap Box Racers
Part of the Marine Parade was also closed to through traffic for a concourse show of the beautifully prepared vintage cars which were frequently cruising the parade with occupants in full costume.
According to one of the organisers who accosted us for a visitor survey, we should definitely look out for the Gatsby Picnic on the sea front. Apparently great effort would be made in a "little bit of showing off and one-upmanship". Walking along the front we observed much anxiety amongst picnickers as they tried to keep their gazebos tethered and hang on to their 1930s hats in the strong winds. We could see what our tipster meant; there were glorious displays of 'luncheon spreads' everywhere and wonderful costumes.
Gatsby Picnic Luncheon
With all the distraction in town we only briefly covered some of the pretty gardens and architecture. Inevitably we did get drawn to the lookout point at Bluff Hill but we did not get to the Old Port, the Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers or any of the Hawkes Bay wineries; and we didn't get invited to the Depression Dinner.
Centennial Gardens
Hawkes Bay from Bluff Hill
Even we hadn't struck lucky with the Art Deco Weekend, Napier would still be a fine place to visit. Unfortunately we have to leave with unfinished business in Hawkes Bay.
No comments:
Post a Comment