Model lights the way for centennial celebrations

A 3m-tall model of the Castlepoint lighthouse will be on display around Masterton during the next week, in anticipation of the the landmark's 100-year celebrations next weekend.

The model was on display in Kuripuni on Thursday, after making an appearance at Faulknors Service Station.

"We were getting heaps of people staring and stopping and I've had heaps of people ring me up and tell me they've seen it," says centennial celebrations director John Keen.

The model was originally built for a Castlepoint Racing Club celebration, but organisers have brought it to light again for the centennial.

Committee member Murray Callister said they had done a "fair bit of work" to restore the 3.3m model.

"It's here just to tell people that there's a lot that's going to be happening at Castlepoint," he says.

As well as the model lighthouse, a competition for kids to make a model, draw a picture or create a collage of the lighthouse closed yesterday.

Mr Keen said he was "very impressed" with the entries received, and the winning entries will be displayed as part of the celebrations.

"There's a huge amount of effort gone into those," he says.

Mr Keen said the centennial celebrations will have something for all age groups, including a free concert featuring local bands such as Skaper and Mr Groove, and kite flying and sandcastle competitions.

The Castlepoint lighthouse 100-year celebration is on from February 15 to 17. The all-day free concert will be held at the Wairarapa Fishing Club grounds on February 17. See www.lighthousecentennial.castlepoint.co.nz for more information.