March Hare rally rolls on in

What started out 23 years ago as a birthday party with a few mates has turned into the biggest motorcycle rally in the South Island.

This weekend between 2000 and 3000 people, including some from Australia, will be at the annual March Hare motorcycle rally at the Waimate Showgrounds.

Included would be the man who established the event as a "gathering for a few mates for his birthday party", March Hare Motorcycle Club president Phil Tweedie said.

Kevin Farrell started the event at the Waihao Forks Hotel. In the following years it grew in size as more people were invited, as well as in sophistication, with the addition of entertainment.

Eventually it shifted to the Mr Farrell's property at Hunter, still growing in size.

Three years ago it was taken over by the March Hare club, which shifted it to the Waimate Showgrounds, so the town would get more benefits.

It has become a big annual event for Waimate businesses and organisations, which use it to help raise funds.

That ranges from Waimate Rugby Club members, who clean up afterwards, to the Waimate Rotary Club, which runs the bars and other groups which provide services, including the Centennial School, which keeps the toilets clean.

"We only let outside people in when Waimate organisations can't provide the service," Mr Tweedie said.

While most of those attending camp at the showgrounds and in a neighbouring paddock, those "who want the home comforts" book out Waimate's accommodation.

Mr Tweedie said the showgrounds, leased for the weekend from the Waimate Agricultural and Pastoral Association, also benefited, with some of the profits going towards facilities, including a new toilet block for this year's rally.

Last year, a wet weekend, about 2000 turned up. In 2007, there were 2700.

By the way motorcyclists were rolling in yesterday - a lot more than usual for the first day - Mr Tweedie expected close to 3000, as long as the weather stayed fine.

Apart from the camaraderie, there is plenty of entertainment, with stalls, bands, competitions, games, as well as six food outlets.

One of the games, in keeping with the rally's name, is tossing the hare.

One of those getting ready for the rally yesterday was Mr Farrell's younger brother, Brendon, who expected his other six brothers to be there. Brendon was too young for the first "birthday party".

He was at the rally on his 2005 Texas Choppers-built American Ironhorse, a rare chopper in the area.

The Ironhorse has a 1.8 litre fuel-injected belt-driven Super Sidewinder V-Twin engine with a six-speed Baker gearbox.

By noon tomorrow, most riders will be on their way home.