Thousands of people flock to Napier to take part in the annual event GEON Art Deco Weekend which starts next week.

The Art Deco Trust organises the Weekend and hosts over 200 events, including outdoor concerts, vintage car parades, fashions shows, steam train rides, the Gatsby picnic and so much more.

A highlight of the festival is the Vintage Car parade where over 250 cars from the 1920’s and 30’s tour through the city streets with thousands of people coming into the city to view.

Sally Jackson, General Manager of the Art Deco Trust reported that new events have been introduced into the annual Weekend program marking the 75 years of the Air Force including a special concert and a celebration dinner at the Mission Estate Winery. The Air Force Central Band will take a high profile position marching within the Vintage Car Parade and in the Sound Shell concerts.

In its 24th year the air force is an integral part of the Art Deco festivities and it has chosen Napier, and the Bay, to be one of the 75th anniversary commemoration venues.

The RNZAF’s Red Checkers aerobatic display team are pulling out all the stops to attend along with 20 other vintage aircraft including WW1 and WWII planes, a P40 Kittyhawk, DH82 Tiger moths, a Dragon Rapide, Chipmunks and several helicopters. The five strong Warbirds Harvard squadron will also be in attendance.

WGCDR Bill Blaikie of the RNZAF reported that it was a an excellent opportunity for the public to come out and see the Air Force and mark this very auspicious occasion.

An undoubted highlight of Napier’s calendar is the annual GEON Art Deco Weekend held in February. Organised by the Trust, it is a not too serious celebration of Art Deco style. The event attracts thousands from all over the world to participate in fun events that involves dressing up, dancing, dining, picnics, parades, vintage cars, planes and more.

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