If you’ve ever wanted to know if you’re strong enough to pull a truck, your opportunity will come this weekend.
Wheels, tracks and rollers will be on display for the largest transport festival in the region, with the Lift N Shift Truck Pull contest sure to be a highlight.
Transport Fest will see almost 50 visiting commercial trucks on display as well as demonstrations from NZ Army, Fire and Emergency NZ and Police.
Transport Museum committee member Steve Steele says he has always enjoyed helping out at the museum based at Higgins Heritage Park and is looking forward to sharing his love of trucks with the community.
“I’ve been a truck driver all my life, I’ve owned them, driven them and now I’ve gone from that to selling and building them.”
He says the weekend will be full of activities to entertain every family member.
Higgins Heritage Park is home to a range of groups that will all have their exhibits open. These include the Rover Club, Steam Museum and the early sawmill complete with water wheel and gold stamper.
“The girls even open up the look-a-like garage and bake and make milkshakes in an old-fashioned way,” adds Steve.
Saturday will see a wealth of displays including the army, wood-turning demonstrations and cars from the Nelson Classic Car Museum.
Sunday is ‘Steam Day’ where the Steam Museum will start up the steam roller with its carriage to drive people around the park. FENZ will also be on hand showing how the ‘jaws of life’ work
Both Saturday and Sunday will see Police with their radar set-up over for kids to see how fast they can run, sheep shearing displays, and rides on a fully restored vintage school bus.
The knife-sharpening shop, early rural life building and early chainsaw display will all be open and a feature ‘Ablaze Exhibition’ tells the story of the Pigeon Valley Fires.
Steve says it will be easy to fill the day with entertainment and encourages people to come out, bring a picnic and enjoy the festivities.
Whether you have a love of wheels or an interest in history, Transport Fest will be a place to inspire and educate.
“You’ve got to have respect for the past,” Steve says.
Transport Fest is on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October 10am-4pm. $10 an adult, children under 15 free.
