The future of Waikaka's annual Whitestone Cheese Rolling
event, to be held tomorrow, is in question, as the Henderson
family decides whether to continue with the event.
Virginia Henderson, daughter of landowner Bob Henderson,
chairman of the cheese rolling event, said they were asking
people to vote with their feet.
"Last year we had 1700 people turn up.
"If we get a huge turnout we'll take that as a sign to keep
going."
The event was instigated four years ago by the late Rosemary
Henderson as a way of raising support for families in
Southland and Otago faced with the challenge of autism.
At 2pm tomorrow, 12 Whitestone four-kilogram Windsor Blue
cheese wheels will be thrown from the top of the hill by
celebrities and guest rollers.
But the event is not only for the rollers.
Ms Henderson said many people came every year with picnics to
take advantage of the 360-degree view from the top of the
hill.
There would also be food stalls and other crowd
entertainment, she said.
"We don't know what the weather is going to do, but we are
all-weather rollers," she said.
rachel.taylor@odt.co.nz
