A fundraiser for Hospice South Canterbury The Caroline Bay Rock and Hop is the South Island’s largest festival of its kind.

The Caroline Bay Rock and Hop has grown to a four-day festival of nostalgia with a ‘50s,’60s theme, featuring 1000 cars, caravans and motorbikes from all eras. Keep an eye out as these cars come from all over NZ and many you have not seen before.

The event kicks off with Laps at Levels on Thursday. With up to 20 cars cruising the track at once this is a once in a lifetime chance to get on the track with your family/friends in your vehicle. Vehicles will complete 12 laps behind a pace car, there are very strict rules so please read all of the details before you enter.

On Friday, we have the return of the popular Go Geraldine cruise. Vehicles will travel together from Caroline Bay (leaving at 11.00am) to the picturesque town of Geraldine where there will be entertainment galore. Cars will return to Timaru after 2pm with plenty of time to get ready for the much-anticipated Main Street Cruise.

The Main Street Cruise starts at 5.30pm which takes the vehicles past spectators through the main streets of Timaru and Pleasant Point finishing with a street party in Temuka. This is a real highlight for many of our out-of- town entrants, so come on Timaruvians, get the BBQ and deck chairs out and have a street party as you watch and wave at our Rock and Hop cruisers, they LOVE it. If you’re in Temuka you won’t want to miss this part of the party. Last year was a real hit with locals and cruisers alike. After the cruise this year we have our own Timpany Walton “It’s in the Bag” game show. Seldom Smellgood and Cortina Bouchier host this fun night. Loads of great prizes to be won. What will it be Timaru “the money or the bag!” You wont want to miss this new event at this years Rock and Hop.

The Saturday is the big Gala Show and Shine Day where all the vehicles are parked up for display and judging on the spectacular Caroline Bay. We have music from The Groove and the Drama Queens, a best dressed competition, 100’s of stalls, plenty of dancers, a fashion parade, lots of competitions and so much more it will be hard to know where to look. We finish the day off with the prize giving winners parade and then the draw for our lucky ticket winners, with the main prize being $10,000 cash. Yes, we’re giving away $10,000. It’s a live draw up on the stage, and while you don’t have to be there to win but it would be great to see you all there.

This year we are actioning a vintage Massey Ferguson TEA Tractor just before the prizegiving, so come along and see a live auction in action, if you’re not a tractor enthusiast, best you leave your hands in your pockets!

The town then rocks for the night with many rock and roll parties including the famous “Rock Your Socks Off” party held in the Bay Hall. Tickets are limited so be in quick to secure yours. 

Everyone can meet up again down at the Bay Hall on Sunday morning for Breakfast before heading off on the final cruise which this year is going to be a Sheds on Sunday Cruise. We have 5 people allowing access to their Man Caves. Details will be available closer to March.

The Caroline Bay Rock and Hop is a Hospice South Canterbury Fundraiser, with all money raised going straight back to helping provide care for those in our region.

Vehicle entry to all cruises and the Show and Shine competition costs $50.

Public Entry to the Gala Show and Shine Day is a donation to your Hospice. Please be generous as it’s all going to a great cause and all money raised stays in your area.

We would love you to dress up in your best ’50s ‘60’s gear and join in the atmosphere. Come along and celebrate with us.

For more information and ticketing details go to www.carolinebayrockandhop.co.nz