Beach Hop named finalist for best event award
Classic cars on display at Beach Hop. Photo: Bartley Internet and Graphics
The Beach Hop has been going from strength to strength and now the New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) has declared
this year's Hop a finalist for the Best National Event of the Year award.
Repco Beach Hop '17 was based in Whangamata in March and attracted about 100,000 people over the course of the five-day event, generating
more than $7M for the local economy.
Beach Hop is a nostalgia festival celebrating the '50s and '60s with a turbo-charged dose of classic cars.
It's free to attend and classic car owners pay a fee to include their vehicle in the car shows, parade and cruises.
"I love the Beach Hop," says our Mayor Sandra Goudie. "It's a fantastic event that ticks every box."
The NZEA judges noted this year the high calibre of entries across the board and the sheer breadth of diversity in the events industry.
Beach Hop spokesperson Noddy Watts says the whole community gets behind the event, either to attend, participate,
volunteer or promote it.
"To be recognised at this level is a real honour and we thank everyone involved with Repco Beach Hop 17," says Mr Watts.
"This is for our crew, sponsors, entrants, entertainers, suppliers and TCDC, Smart Environmental and the fire service
who went beyond the call of duty to clean up Whangamata after the devastating floods just days before the festival."
Over the years, the Beach Hop has raised more than $500,000 for local emergency services. With the influx of visitors
every year, community groups have been able to fundraise tens of thousands of dollars.
The winner of the Best National Event Award will be announced on 11 October at the NZEA gala awards evening.
Vote for the Beach Hop!
All finalists in each of the award categories will be entered automatically in the Eventfinda public poll to decide New
Zealand's Favourite Event. This is your chance to vote for the Beach Hop. Details on how to vote will be announced soon
and we'll publish them on our Council's Facebook page as soon as we have them.
ENDS