AmeriCARna 2024

Start your engines! AmeriCARna is roaring back into Ōpunakē and Hāwera.

On Wednesday 21 February, AmeriCARna heads to Ōpunakē Beach from 11.30am. There will be live music by local entertainers, food from local vendors and community fundraisers, and the beach shop will also be open. The cars depart at 2.30pm.

On Friday 23 February, the cars will head to Hāwera from Stratford (via Kaponga and Manaia along State Highway 45) and line the CBD for the afternoon between 1pm and 5.15pm. The town square will be filled with live music from ‘Mitch and His Guitar’ and will be busy with the annual market day.

The Acceleration event will once again be held on Albion Street from 2.30pm, with cars being timed over the 80 metres to the finish line.

Bizlink Hāwera has organised an AmeriCARna fashion parade (starting at 3.30pm in the square).

“There are about 700 cars registered this year – we are sure to fill the beach and streets of South Taranaki!” says South Taranaki District Council’s Community Events Co-ordinator Ella Tosland.

“We are really excited to have AmeriCARna return to South Taranaki once again. The Ōpunakē and Hāwera communities and businesses really get behind it every year, it creates a buzz through the town,” says Ella. “It is important to make sure motorists take extra care on the roads at all times and be patient. Plan ahead as it may take you a little longer to get where you are heading due to road closures.”

Road closures during the AmeriCARna events:

• On Wednesday 21 February, Beach Road in Ōpunakē will be closed all vehicles (except AmeriCARna cars), we recommend that spectators park on a side street and walk down to the beach
• On Friday 23 February, cars will be parked on High Street (from Argyle St to Caledonia Street), Regent Street (from High Street to Little Regent Street), Union Street (for 80m from High Street) and in the Community Centre carpark. Albion Street (from High Street to Rowe Street) will also be closed for the Acceleration event.

AmeriCARna

• Ōpunakē Beach, Wednesday 21 February 11.30am–2.30pm.
• Hāwera CBD, Friday 24 February, 1pm–5.15pm.