Masterton’s beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park will be party-central for town folk and visitors during the first weekend of December.
With the return of the popular Summer Hummer concert, community-owned Trust House Limited is also throwing a party to celebrate 75-years, and everyone is invited. The festivities will include free rides on the famous miniature train, paddle boats and entry to the public swimming pools over the Saturday and Sunday of 3-4 December.
Tagged in travel publications as the “Jewel in the Crown”, Queen Elizabeth Park takes its name from the late Queen Elizabeth II who visited in 1954. Fitting then that the headline act for the showpiece Saturday Summer Hummer is hip-hop artist Kings.
The Auckland-based entertainer is joined by Wellington act Tin Palace and Wairarapa bands – Deluxe Edition, Sinner Man Saint, Captivated and Dragonfly and local beat boxer, Maceo Field.
Destination Wairarapa General Manager Anna Nielson says the double header celebrations will make for a bumper weekend in Masterton. “With all its many attractions and activities Queen Elizabeth Park is a popular destination for locals and visiting families,” Anna Nielson says. “We’re anticipating plenty of visitors and of course a lot of excitement from locals. The weekend will I think showcase Masterton and Queen Elizabeth Park.”
Launched in 1997, Summer Hummer was a popular calendar event for more than a decade, hosting some of the best bands in New Zealand including The Feelers, Zed, Fur Patrol, Goodshirt, Dave Dobbyn, Scribe, and Mutton Birds. A gold coin entry, at its height Summer Hummer attracted crowds of up to 10,000. Enthusiasm for organising it eventually faded, and it went into a hiatus.
Although it got a second chance five years ago, Covid intervened and his since prevented another return. That was until former Masterton Mayor Bob Francis and Te Hapori Skatepark Group and Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park representative, Stella Lennox, teamed-up to re-launch the old favourite.
Stella Lennox, who is also a Masterton District Councillor, says Te Hapori Skatepark group had been thinking of a way to bring the skating community together to celebrate the positive developments at the facility over 2022. “From there it evolved into us wanting to bring back Summer Hummer,” she says. “It’s an iconic community event with a proven track record, and we certainly feel the town needs something like this again.”
Trust House board director Lucy Griffiths says the organisation is “super excited” to be able to mark their 75th anniversary by providing free access to the park’s attraction. “As a parent of young kids, live music, free pools, train rides and a picnic in the park sounds like just the perfect weekend to launch summer,” she says.
Summer Hummer Concert will be held at Queen Elizabeth Park sports ground (large green space behind the park boats) in Masterton.
Gates open 2pm, music starts at 2.30pm. Food stalls onsite. Family friendly bring a picnic, rug and chair.
No alcohol and smokefree. $2 gold coin per person / $5 per family
Free Fun – on both Sat Dec 3 and Sun Dec 4 Free rides on Miniature train and Pedal Boats and free entry to swim at the Trust House Recreation Centre.
