A ''Final Fling'' will mark the completion of the two new twin-lane bridges between Kurow and Hakataramea, ending 132 years of travelling over two single-lane, wooden structures.
A community committee has been working with the New Zealand Transport Agency and contractors McConnell Dowell Constructors on celebrating the end of the $21 million project.
''Our shiny new bridges are complete and now it's time to celebrate ... with a final island fling,'' the committee is urging the community.
The south bridge was officially opened in April, the longer north bridge in June and the old twin bridges demolished, all of which will be celebrated on November 29 from 11am on the island between the two.
''It's a big deal for a small community whose lifeline depends on easy access across the mighty Waitaki River,'' one of the organisers of the event, Elizabeth Hayes, said.
The island fling was to be ''a fun, family-friendly day out''.
Bands would be playing, stalls would serve Waitaki Valley gourmet food, there would be market stalls, jet-boats racing and a helicopter-dropped lolly scramble.
A celebrity tug-of-war would pit north of the bridge against the south.
There would be cook-offs, bridge models created by children, an exhibition by Duntroon artist Burns Pollock and parts of the old bridges for sale.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the occasions, along with a parade of old and new vehicles over the two bridges.
