Event packed weekend ahead for Christchurch

Buckle up your seatbelts Christchurch – the city is buzzing with events this weekend and there is something for everyone.

Trains, planes, motorbikes, dogs and so much more will be on show at events around the city. Here's a quick guide to just a few of the things on this weekened. You can find information about other events on Be There.

Fun Palaces

Celebrating art, science, technology and culture, the Fun Palaces festival is coming up at Central Library Peterborough. Fun Palaces includes a virtual spider demonstration, interactive trampoline gaming, creating your own fun palace through Minecraft, robot technology, building a solar oven, and a Fabriko Electronic Sticker Fun Palace - the chance to make a card, paper critter or fan that lights up with an electronic circuit kids can build themselves.

Fun Palaces is an international campaign that began in 2014 to promote science, art and culture and make them accessible to everyone.

Mini Ice-Fest 

A mini IceFest kicks off this week, celebrating the opening of the 2016-2017 summer season in Antarctica and the 60th anniversary year of New Zealand’s presence on the continent (1957 to 2017).  

Crowds at a previous Antarctic Air Day

Check out the Antarctic Air Day this Saturday from 10am until 4pm. A United States Airforce Boeing Globemaster C-17, which is used to transport scientists and supplies to Antarctica, and an Air New Zealand ATR72-600 will be parked on the tarmac at Christchurch Airport outside Antarctica New Zealand and the International Antarctic Centre on Orchard Rd.

Members of the public will get the chance to board the C-17 aircraft during a day of family fun and entertainment. Entry to the tarmac is by free time-allocated boarding pass tickets issued on arrival.

Kickstart Motorcycle event

Up to 3000 motorcyclists will head along to the Canterbury Agricultural Park this Sunday for Kickstart. The event pulls together experts in safety, riding skills and techniques, gear and user groups for a four hour ‘breakfast’ event aimed at upskilling motorcycle riders.

SCAPE 

Scape Public Art begins an annual six week season of Public Art, opening this weekend. Scape will launch new works and showcase the extensive current catalogue of major public artworks. Opening weekend events include free art making, performances and a sausage sizzle at the Margaret Mahy Playground from 10am until 2pm on Saturday and at 12pm Saturday Re-ACTIVATE opening at Re:Start Mall, with the chance to meet the artists and team behind two new artworks.

There are also several other artists talks and opening weekend speakers at various venues. The 2016 Season includes SCAPE Public Art Walkway, a daily walking tour of temporary and permanent artworks around the central city held at 12.30pm from Saturday until November 11, meeting at the Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard. Bookings are required. Phone 03 365 7995 or email bookings@scapepublicart.org.nz.

Model Train Show

The show brings together the best model railways in the South Island and with an expected 30 layouts and many trade stands caters for both the serious modeller and those wanting a family day out.
Where: Pioneer Stadium
When: Saturday 1st Sunday 2nd October 2016
Open: 9:30am-5:00pm (Both days)

The Breeze Walking Festival

The Breeze Walking Festival continues this weekend until October 9 with over 50 walks from child-friendly jaunts to energetic treks for experienced walkers. Walks this weekend include: Dunes at Dawn, a 3km stroll that starts at 6.30am on Saturday meeting at the Clock Tower, New Brighton Library, Marine Parade for a stroll north along the dunes taking in the sunrise over the sea.  A Chinese National Day Celebration walkabout starts at 11am from the Upper Riccarton Library, Main South Road Sockburn, and a fun family All RIght? Amble through the Botanic Gardens, which is part treasure hunt and part orienteering, begins at 10am at the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre. 

National Dog Show

The canine version of New Zealand's Got Talent, Discover Dogs, incorporating the Eukanuba National Dog Show, will see 1700 purebred dogs representing over 100 different breeds from across New Zealand and Australia during the three-day event. Held at the Riding for the Disabled Events Centre at the Canterbury Agricultural Park on Curletts Road, the show opens today at 10am and includes obedience tests, working trial and agility events and exhibitions. All of the dogs competing are registered with the New Zealand Kennel Club and the judging is open to the public. The show is also open Saturday 10am until 5pm and Sunday 10am until 4pm.