Local business supports New Zealand Cup and Show Week festival

4 November 2008

Christchurch businesses are showing their support of New Zealand Cup and Show Week by getting behind the festival launch this Friday, 7 November.

Central City Chic brings the launch party to the High Street Stewart Plaza from midday with Central City Business Association providing their support of Canterbury’s biggest event of the year.

Each major event partner will bring a sample of their event to Central City Chic for a Taste of Cup and Show Week.

Central City Business Association Manager Paul Lonsdale, says it is important to get behind these events in order to continue their growth and impact on our economic region.

“New Zealand Cup and Show Week has a major impact on Christchurch each year and it will only get bigger each year as the racing stakes grow higher and more people travel here for it.”

Each year, over 125,000 people attend the events over the week long period from all over the country and off shore. 

“These attendees spend money in our stores, stay in our hotels and eat at our restaurants. It has a great impact on our city and we need to embrace that,” he said.

Of these attendees, just under a quarter are aged between 18-24, a demographic that are our best retail shoppers.

“The launch in the Central City plaza is a great way to kick off the festival week and for local retailers to showcase their new season trends that are likely to be bought specifically for the week’s events,” he said.

This year, the latest retailer fashions and trends will be on parade at Central City Chic with samples by Jane Daniels; Sergios; Gregory; Annah Stretton; and Andrea Moore. 

With Christchurch City Council coordinating the New Zealand Cup and Show Week festival, Deputy Mayor Norman Withers is especially excited for the launch in the plaza.

 “Yes the launch party will be a top day and I will be down there with Bob Parker to officially launch the week with the public.

 “You can catch me at the wood chopping demonstration. I’ll be assisting a champion wood chopper saw through a log which should be a lot of fun!,” said Mr Withers.

Local retailers in the Christchurch City area have been taking part in a window competition recently and were asked to display New Zealand Cup and Show Week in their own individual way. The winning retailer will be announced at the launch party.

The public will also have an opportunity to take part themselves in the best Hat Competition which can be entered into on the day, along with giveaways, competitions, live radio broadcasting from MoreFM and hands-on fun.

For more information on this event head to BeThere.co.nz or www.nzcupandshow.co.nz for all the festival events.

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