What's On in Mid Canterbury this Weekend

Check out some of the huge range of happenings across Mid Canterbury this weekend! 

• Ashburton Museum and Historical Society is hosting the Great Local History Book Sale from MON 18 - FRI 22 NOV. Pop up store on East Street (next to Spark). 10am-4pm each day. Books featuring the histories of local schools, churches, families and more. Included is a number of Ashcoll magazines and the Ashburtonian. And Ashburton on the Move by Michael Hanrahan - fitting with Moving Houses on TV at the moment! More than 200 old and new publications for sale. Make sure you invest in the raffle too! 

• The popular annual White Ribbon Quiz Night is on FRI 22 NOV from 6.30pm at the Hotel Ashburton. Teams of six compete for bragging rights and prizes. Entries cost $15 per person payable on the night, price includes supper and snacks. To register contact Anna on 027 722 3204 or [email protected].

• The Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade is celebrating its 150th anniversary on SAT 23 NOV with an Open Day from 10am to 2pm at the Ashburton Fire Station. The public are invited to a fun-filled, hands-on day that everyone of all ages can be a part of. Vintage and new appliances will be on display. Visitors will be able to experience a 1874 Shand Mason steamer in operation, and have the chance to test their skills with a Merry Weather hand pump. There will be fire safety information and a live fire kitchen display. At 12-noon, firefighters will undertake a rescue tool display. There will be a colouring competition for the kids along with plenty of food and drinks. 

• He Waka Tapu Community Day is on SAT 23 NOV, from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm at Ashburton Domain, by the Paddling Pool area. Free for everyone with kai, drinks, games, kapa haka performances, live entertainment, a bouncy castle, scavenger hunts, and several community providers offering activities and services. A great way to bring the whanau together for a fun day out. 

• To mark 160yrs of the Ashburton Domain, Ashburton Council invites us to a FREE outdoor movie the whole family can enjoy. SAT 23 NOV. Bring a blanket and picnic, or buy a treat from the food court. Arrive early to enjoy pre-show live entertainment. The movie TBC. Action starts 5pm, when the food court opens. Pre-show entertainment from 5:30pm. The movie starts 6:30pm. 

• Hinds and District Lions Club and Longbeach School 2024 Ruralco Longbeach Coastal Challenge is on SUN 24 NOV. Bike, run, walk and for the first time a duathlon. Event details at longbeachcoastalchallenge.com. 

• Ashburton Aviation Museum is hosting an Open Day on SUN 24 NOV. They have raised $1.1m of the $2.5m needed for their new function space - a building between the facility’s two existing display hangars. The museum is visited by about 6000 people a year. From 10am to 4pm at the Ashburton Airport come and view the facilities and find out about the extension. Buy a sausage to help further their fundraising efforts. 387 Seafield Road. Entry is free!

• SOLD OUT!! Hospice Mid Canterbury is back with "The Christmas Experience" SUN 24 NOV, 10am-4pm. Start the day by viewing an eclectic array of 8 homes decorated for Christmas, with three of them also offering a stroll through the gardens. Then from 2pm wander through a well known Ashburton garden and enjoy a glass of bubbles and Christmas cake. Third time running this biennial event. All funds raised go toward supplying services to people of Mid Canterbury who are living with life limiting illnesses. More at www.hospicemc.nz.