Small town, big appeal

Press, 18 March 1986, Page 24

Small town, big appeal

For people looking for something different to do this Easter and for somewhere different to go, the small South Canterbury town of Fairlie could provide the answers.

Known as the gateway to the Mackenzie Country, the picturesque little town of Fairlie will have a whole range of activities and places to visit for those who decide to take their Easter holidays in the town.

The main highlight will be the Mackenzie Highland Show, one of the district’s major annual events. More than 10,000 people from all over the South Island regularly attend to enjoy the show’s distinct Scottich atmosphere. HIGHLAND SHOW This year’s show should be another resounding success and the traditionally strong horse section will be one of the drawcards. Excellent entries have been received in the woodchoppirig events and the kennel dog

section should again prove of considerable interest to the crowds. A goat section has been added to this year’s show which will demonstrate how ferral goats are slowly bred into purebred mohair goats. GOLF In the week before Easter the Fairlie Gold Club’s Golfing 500 tournament will-be held. A total of 120 golfers from all round the South Island will be coming to Fairlie for the tournament. Held over two days and 72 holes, and with a $2OOO prize list, this event has become one of the highlights of the South Canterbury golfing calendar. CAMPING Why not try the Fairlie camping ground. It has more than 50 caravan points, new cabins with kitchen facilities, showers and toilets.

The nearby domain is an ideal spot for children to play.

MUSEUM Fairlie’s transport museum is considered one of the best of the horsedrawn era in New Zealand. Waggons and carts, farming machinery, early photographic equipment and old telephones are just some of the items on display. A visit to the nearby Mabie Binnie Cottage is also well worth while. The cottage is more than 100 years old and belonged to Miss Binnie, an old identity in Fairlie, who died not so many years ago. INFORMATION CENTRE If you want' to know where to go, drop into the information centre in the Sunflower Centre at the southern end of town. It is open from 7.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. and will have all the information you would like to know about Fairlie. They will tell you whether the town’s new covered pool is open and how to get to the new Opihi walkway.