Wairarapa's big weekend

An eclectic mix of events set to showcase the Wairarapa's wine and food, arts and crafts and wartime history are expected to keep visitors to the region entertained this weekend.

"This is one of our busiest weekends of the year," said Destination Wairarapa general manager Peter Wilson.

"From air and car displays to fairs and fetes, fun runs and bike rides to fun at Tui HQ, even a ball  there is something for everyone here in the Wairarapa."

Those in the region specifically for Toast Martinborough on Sunday will discover there's much more on offer than wine and food.

Those who are contemplating a weekend visit will be rewarded with plenty to see and do.

The day before Toast Martinborough gets off to an early start with the Rimutaka Railway 17km fun run and walk.

The event will take participants over the old fell railway line between Upper Hutt and Featherston.

It offers an easy gradient for reasonably fit runners or walkers. Later in the day Assisi Garden is holding its inaugural summer fair.

The spectacular 11-hectare hillside garden, 15 minutes from Masterton, will provide the backdrop for the fair featuring an eclectic mix of artists, sculptors and designers from all over the North Island as well as fresh, local food and a variety of Northern Wairarapa wines.

There will be several well known local sculptures/artists exhibiting their art around the garden.

Funds will go to a local organisation, the CatWalk SCI Charity Trust.

Those interested in New Zealand's wartime history can watch an air show of mock dogfights and handling displays by The Vintage Aviator's WWI collection of fighter scouts, light bombers and reconnaissance aircraft at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton.

The afternoon air display is part of Remembrance Day commemorations and begins at 2.30pm.

The gates open at noon with free vintage vehicle rides for the kids from 1pm-2.30pm.

Other events happening on Saturday include a calendar signing by the Tui Brewery girls at Tui HQ in Mangatainoka, Rathkeale College's annual Christmas fete which will boast more than 50 quality stalls selling garden products, jewellery, clothing, wine and food products as well as family entertainment.

The "A Vine Affair" charity ball will be held at the Martinborough Town Hall from 8pm to midnight featuring nibbles by local chef Zane Saba and music by Wellington band Uncle Monkey.

All proceeds will go the Martinborough Ambulance Trust.

On Sunday the Tui Brewery will host Mangatainoka Motors, a special day out for hot rod, classic and vintage car enthusiasts.

Tui's commercial and marketing manager Nick Rogers said after the success of last year's inaugural event, which attracted 200 cars, this weekend's event is expected to attract more than 400 cars.

"It's going to be huge and there may be some Kiwi ingenuity required around where to put them all."

The Masterton charity fun bike ride is also on this Sunday. w It will take riders through scenic rural areas surrounding Masterton. Distances range from 10km to 115km with staggered start times begin from 9am.