The Caroline Bay Rock and Hop

The Caroline Bay Rock and Hop has grown to a four-day festival of nostalgia with a ‘50s,’60s theme, featuring 1000 cars, caravans and motorbikes from all eras. Keep an eye out as these cars come from all over NZ and many you have not seen before.

The event kicks off with Laps at Levels on Thursday March 17th March. With up to 30 cars cruising the track at once this is a once in a lifetime chance to get on the track with your family/friends in your vehicle. Vehicles will complete 12 laps behind a pace car, there are very strict rules so please read all of the details before you enter.

On Friday, we have the return of the popular Go Geraldine cruise. Vehicles will travel together from Caroline Bay (leaving at 11am) to the picturesque town of Geraldine where there will be entertainment galore. Cars will return to Timaru after 2pm with plenty of time to get ready for the much-anticipated Main Street Cruise.

Our Timaru CBD will have Beswick Street closed off from 4pm with lots happening, including with food vendors and entertainment. Come on down, wander around and enjoy the atmosphere then watch these fantastic vehicles cruising both sides of Stafford Street.

The Main Street Cruise starts at 5.30pmwhich takes the vehicles past spectators through the main streets of Timaru and Pleasant Point finishing with a street party in Temuka. This is a real highlight for many of our out-of- town entrants, so come on Timaruvians, get the BBQ and deck chairs out and have a street party as you watch and wave at our Rock and Hop cruisers, they LOVE it. If you’re in Temuka you won’t want to miss this part of the party. Last year was a real hit with locals and cruisers alike. After the cruise those who wish to party can then join us back at Caroline Bay in the hall for a fantastic night of rock and roll. We have New Zealand’s Premier Rock and Roll entertainer Che Orton to help you rock all night long.

The Saturday is the big Gala Show and Shine Day where all the vehicles are parked up for display and judging on the spectacular Caroline Bay. We have music from The Groove and the Drama Queens, a best-dressed competition, 100’s of stalls, plenty of dancers, a fashion parade, lots of competitions and so much more it will be hard to know where to look. We finish the day off with the prize-giving winners parade and then the draw for our lucky ticket winners, with the main prize being $10,000 cash. Yes, we’re giving away $10,000. It’s a live draw up on the stage, and while you don’t have to be there to win but it would be great to see you all there.

The town then rocks for the night with many rock and roll parties including the famous "Rock Your Socks Off" party held in the Bay Hall. This year we have decided to go without the Marquee so tickets are very limited. Tickets are sold out however you can still rock the night away in the Roncalli Gym with a party held by the Timaru Rock and Roll Club featuring Candi and the Rockets. Tickets are $30 each and are available from Eventfinda.

Everyone can meet up again down at the Bay Hall on Sunday morning for breakfast before heading off on the final cruise which this year is going to the Oamaru Victorian precinct. For those who have castle tour tickets, you will be enjoying a tour of Riverstone Castle.

This is a Hospice South Canterbury Fundraiser, with all money raised going straight back to helping provide care for those in our region.

Vehicle entry to all cruises and the Show and Shine competition costs $40.

Public Entry to the Gala Show and Shine Day is a donation to your Hospice. Please be generous as it’s all going to a great cause and all money raised stays in your area.

We would love you to dress up in your best ’50s ‘60's gear and join in the atmosphere. Come along and celebrate with us.