"Peppermint Park" brings 1950's Style to Palmerston North

In April 2010 a 1950's themed venue, "Peppermint Park", appeared briefly in Palmerston North to be host to the launch of Square Affair, a Festival of Miniature Attractions - an annual event at Easter each year commencing in 2011.

Elegantly dressed ladies with bouffant hair dos, furs, gloves and pearls and spiffingly dressed men to match arrived in style alongside the 1951 Daimler Consort and a 1954 Daimler Conquest.  Once inside they were greeted by a glamorous 1950s hostess, Betty, served refreshments by the Squarettes and set off to mingle around the formica table and vinyl sofas with the Wurlitzer Juke Box providing nostalgic background beats.

As well as sipping on champaign cocktails, guests got a taste of Square Affair presented by Jono Naylor, Palmerston North City Maor, and Lance Bickford, Chief Executive, Destination Manawatu.  The inaugural event will bring 1950's and retro enthusiasts and lovers of nostalgia to Palmerston North for three days during Easter 2011.

Like many good ideas, Square Affair came about during a chat over a cuppa.  Local Meccano nutters (they don't mind when we call them this) Chris and Paulette Morton visited Destination Manawatu in early 2009 to find out about venue options to hold the 2011 Meccano Convention.  So, as a result, at the heart of Square Affair, A Festival of Miniature Attractions will be the toys of the 1950's - Meccano, die cast cars and Hornby trains, and will comprise a major expo at Palmerston North Convention Centre.

Ten satellite venues hosting exhibitions, events, competitions and a comprehensive film programme around the Square will be linked to the Convention Centre by 1950s buses. Visitors will be able to park centrally and move freely from one venue to the other each day. Entry to the main expo will also come with a multi use pass for the buses. Satellite events will charge separately for entry but generally on a gold coin basis.

Exhibitions at satellite events will include Teddies, Golly’s and Barbie, classic cars, Wurlitzer and other jukeboxes, pinball machines, fashion and home decor. Events and competitions will include a nightly Rock ‘n Roll party at “Peppermint Park, Hoover races around the Square in bouffant hairdo’s, pikelet competitions at central cafes, celebrity Scalectrix racing,  and will also link to Speedway at arena on Saturday night. A full schools programme is currently being developed.

So, if you're interested in exhibiting, participating or just keeping up to date, check out the website www.squareaffair.co.nz Put it in your calendar and start telling your friends, family and clients about it.

Also take a look at Destination Manawatu on facebook to see photos from "Peppermint Park".

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