Roses on the Bay Market Day

 Date: Sunday November 29, Caroline Bay

Tickets $5, School children and under-fives free entry

It’s the icing on the cake, the feather in the cap: the Roses on the Bay Market Day truly is the Grand Finale of the Festival of Roses.

Every year, thousands of people descend on Caroline Bay for this feast for the senses. There’s colour and exotic sights, music, enticing aromas, delicious tastes and a festive, friendly atmosphere.

What makes the Market Day so special is its blend of the ever-popular favourites and exciting and innovative additions. Yes, there are 150 stalls and competition is as stiff as ever for these but there are always fresh arrivals, a choice new plant or an original gift idea.

Plants, especially roses, are always in plentiful supply as are crafts from all over New Zealand and beyond, along with gourmet food and garden accessories – from outdoor art to furniture.  This year’s feature exhibition will highlight outdoor entertaining ideas from The Complete Garden.

Making its second Festival appearance after a hilarious debut in 2008 will be The Gentlemen’s Impose. Well known local male identities will be presented with an array of floral art material and then let loose to create a masterpiece. The Gentlemen's Impose happens in the Southern Trust Marquee (behind the Sound Shell) at 1pm.

The Mazda Hat and Hair Art Marquee will showcase the fabulous Hat and Hair creations that will have starred at the New Zealand Hat and Hair Art Awards on Saturday, 21 November. A catwalk show of the entries will be staged in the Southern Trust Marquee at 11.30am, and 3.15pm. This is a golden opportunity to see the incredible detail and finishing of these creations up close.

Two free seminars are being held featuring Rhys Taylor of the Sustainable Living Education Trust in partnership with Transition Timaru. Green Gardening – Environmentally Friendly Gardening and Veges at Home are bound to give you plenty of food for thought!  The seminars will be in the Southern Trust Marquee behind the Sound Shell at 10.30am and 2.15pm.

Helping the day to go with a swing will be guest artists Red, Hot and Dixie from Christchurch with their French-flavoured repertoire of jazz and folk. A host of talented local entertainers will also be on stage and street performers will be mingling with the crowds.