Races just part of fun day out

There will be lots of activities for all the family, with equine-themed games for the under 12s.

If you're looking for a relaxed way of spending the Christmas holidays with family and friends and some entertainment why not head to the Arawa Racecourse this Sunday.

The Rotorua racecourse, on Fenton St, is gearing up for a day of family picnics, live music and fun at the Interislander Summer Festival event.

The festival is taking place across the country at different racecourses with 39 events.

Another bumper crowd is expected at the Rotorua club. If you want to get your extended family together in the same spot you can guarantee a prime location by booking a Home Straight gazebo lawn spot for $125 a person. This package, which doesn't include admission, includes a reserved space of 3m x 3m to erect your own gazebo, a wooden barbecue table and 10 race books.

There are BYO limits of one bottle of wine or six stubbies - no spirits, RTDs, kegs, crates or cask wine are permitted.

"The Interislander Summer Festival has carved out a loyal following in Rotorua over the past seven years, with last year's success part of an overall record attendance for the series, so we are absolutely expecting the same result again this year," Racing Rotorua president Owen Nickel said. "Live music, local food, free kids entertainment and sizzling racing action, makes Interislander Summer Festival the perfect day out for the whole family."

The festival features a full day of affordable entertainment - though how much you spend depends on how successful you are with picking winners.

"The holiday period can be an expensive and stressful time for many," Mr Nickel said.

"The festival provides the best value entertainment, coupled with a relaxing setting, making it the perfect environment for creating fun family memories."

As well as the races there will be a range of equine-themed activities for the under 12s, including pin-the-tail-on-the-horse and the horseshoe toss.

Kids will also have the chance to meet Hopples or Stirrup, the friendly Interislander Summer Festival horse mascots.

Fact file

What: Interislander Summer Festival
Where: Arawa Park Racecourse, Rotorua
When: Sunday, gates open 9.30am, first race 1.10pm
How much: Adults $10, under 18s free