Remembering Mount Tarawera - Open Weekend

June 10th 2012 marks a 126 years since the eruption of Mount Tarawera. To commemorate the event the Buried Village is holding an open weekend. Visitors will be able to visit the Buried Village FREE of charge on Saturday June the 9th and Sunday June the 10th.The open weekend will give visitors the opportunity to gain an insight into an important part of Rotorua’s history and to pay respect to those that lost their lives that fateful morning of June 10th 1886.

While the open weekend is reflecting on the passed it is also celebrating survival and there will be activities and entertainment for all ages. Volcanic Air Safaris supports this annual event and one lucky person will have the opportunity to win a flight for two by floatplane over the Rotorua Lakes District, Mount Tarawera and Waimangu Valley. Weather permitting Volcanic Air Safaris will also have a helicopter onsite during the open weekend offering short 5 min flights over the Te Wairoa region at the great anniversary price of $60.00pp. Staff will be dressed in period costume and there will be live entertainment in the café along with storytelling, colouring in and Sparky the Fire Engine will be joining us.  The live entertainment will be provided by Thomas McGrath a fourth generation Smith family member who have lived work and excavated at the Buried Village since 1931.

In addition to the open weekend a night tour of the Buried Village will be held on June 9th.  It was this night 126 year ago that earthquakes were widely felt before the eruption of Mount Tarawera in the early hours of June 10th. Come and experience the Buried Village by evening and be taken on a guided tour of the excavated sites followed by supper in Vi’s Teahouse. There is a small charge of $5.00pp for the night tour and numbers are strictly limited. To reserve you place phone the Buried Village on (07) 362 8287 or email discover@buriedvillage.co.nz.

For further information contact:
Karlene Zlahtic
(07) 362 8287
1180 Tarawera Road, Rotorua, 3076
discover@buriedvillage.co.nz
www.buriedvillage.co.nz