Parnell in full bloom

Roses in full bloom: The annual Parnell festival of roses sees Parnell come alive with a mixture of artists, performers and off course roses in full bloom.

From City Scene, published on 2 November, 2008

Celebrate the start of summer with a weekend of free activities at the Parnell Festival of Roses on Saturday, 8 and Sunday, 9 November.

Parnell will come alive for the annual festival - one of more than 60 free council events planned for summer. From noon to 6pm on both days, there will be performances by a huge range of talented poets and musicians. The main stage will feature Sam Hunt, The Mamaku Project and Hammond Gamble, and the pohutukawa stage at the Parnell Rose Gardens will have a variety of dancers.

Take the opportunity to browse through craft stalls and experience the magnificent roses in full bloom.

Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee chairperson, Councillor Greg Moyle, encourages everyone to come along to the weekend's activities. "With everything that's going on, there will be plenty to see and do. Not to mention that many of the free activities are set in one of our city's most spectacular parks overlooking the Waitemata Harbour."

A free bus shuttle service will run between festival venues every 30 minutes from 10am to 6pm over the weekend to make it easy for everyone to enjoy the activities.

Other festival events include:

the Parnell Hill Sprint for cycling enthusiasts (Saturday, 6am to 9am)
Parnell Farmers' Market (Jubilee Building car park, Saturday, 8am to noon)
Parnell Road Market Day (Saturday, 10am to 4pm)
a guided walk through Judges Bay led by historian Rendell McIntosh (Saturday, 3pm)
a "quote the rose" competition at Parnell library (from 3 to 8 November).

Parnell Festival of Roses is proudly presented by Auckland City Council in partnership with Parnell Mainstreet Inc, and supported by NZCT, The Lion Foundation and Easy Mix 98.2FM.

City Scene readers have the chance to win a five-CD prize pack thanks to Easy Mix 98.2FM.
To enter, visit Easy Mix 98.2FM competitions by 5pm on Thursday, 6 November and enter your details.
The winner will be announced and notified during the Easy Mix 98.2FM Breakfast show on Friday, 7 November.

Key information

Parnell Festival of Roses
Saturday, 8 and Sunday, 9 November
Noon to 6pm
Parnell Rose Gardens
Free