Spring Fling brings thousands to Foxton for great day out

Highland dancers from Highland Evolution Dance and Fitness in Marton.

There was a great turnout this year for the annual Foxton Fling, with an estimated crowd in excess of 5000 people. Car parks were exotic and almost extinct, and finding one was like digging for gold.

Bruce Falloon had a nosey around and shared his experiences.

The MC for the event was Steve Poulton, who said, “With the Clint Taylor Trio from Foxton and Brendon Mercer from Levin, and with Brian Bailey from Marton closing the show, we had a great line-up of entertainment.”

An interesting stall was that of the NZ Army’s Linton-based unit which, apart from some regular equipment, featured one of their unit’s mascots, which is a taniwha.

Erin Smith from 21 supply company in Linton said, “We’re part of an element from [the] second combat supply unit and located out in Linton, and we look after catering, logistics and ammunition technicians for Linton and the Manawatū region.”

“We’re here to show the new capability that we have got, of which one [aspect] was a new mobile shower block, [and] a new fuelling unit which holds 3000 litres of fuel.

Image 1 of 6: Alice Mc Nicholl and Lorna Warwick enjoy the Huff an Puff Ferris wheel ride.

“Variants of fuel include petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.

“How the taniwha got to be our mascot was back in the Somalia days, which was the first largest deployment of supply technicians, and the taniwha was chosen and has been [our mascot] ever since,” Smith said.

Another interesting display on the day was from the Levin branch of the Vintage Car Club. Chairman Bill Laney said, “This is a collective of guys who are obviously interested in cars for all different sorts of reasons.”

“Some of the guys enjoy doing all their own restoring work and others just enjoy having them. There are some that I started when I was young, learning from my old man.

“And basically, that’s where most of us have started our ground roots from, as cars go. However, over the years, our ideas changed - like they do - [going from the] hot-rod and dragster stage to this,” Laney said.

Overall, a great day out for all those who attended.