A biennial fundraiser for a South Canterbury volunteer-run museum, attracted high numbers at the weekend, with 70 military vehicles on display, and the announcement of a new name for the museum.
The third Horse Power Rally was held at Levels Raceway on Saturday and Sunday, and organised by the South Canterbury Traction Engine and Vintage Steam Club and Museum.
Military collector, and one of the event’s organisers, Don Pelvin believed it was one of the biggest displays of military equipment in the South Island.
The weekend’s rally had a military theme, and included 70 military vehicles on display, 10 artillery guns and more than 50 people involved in a military battle re-enactment.
READ MORE:
* Vintage machinery enthusiast recreates photo to mark milestone
* Timaru museum adds trucks as $600,000 shed completed
* South Canterbury Horse Power Rally attracts thousands
There was also a vintage car display, craft and food stalls, children’s entertainment stalls as well as a large display of traction engines.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
The Horse Power Rally at Levels Racecourse at the weekend.
“There were 70-odd military vehicles… from military tanks right down to motorbikes,” Pelvin said.
There were 10 different types of artillery guns, ranging from 18-pounder guns used in World War I to guns used in Vietnam, he said.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
The event had a large display of traction engines.
The Loyd Carrier was one of these, used in World War II, to transport equipment and men around the battlefield.
“There was a huge crowd for both days,” Pelvin said.
South Canterbury Traction Engine and Vintage Steam Club president Gordon Handy said while the number of people who attended, and the amount raised was yet to be tallied, he believed it was more than the $25,000 in 2020.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Don Pelvin believes it was one of the biggest displays of military equipment the South Island has seen.
A few attendees had also expressed interest in volunteering with the museum and had taken home volunteer forms.
The rallywas supported financially by Venture Timaru through its Major Events Support Fund.
The fund provides grants to event organisers aiming to put something on that attracts visitors from the wider region and engages with the community.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Maddie Drummond, 5, checks out a third scale traction engine beside its full size counterpart.
Handy said the fund had been extremely helpful for the event, allowing organisers to reduce the entry costs and keep gate fees down and ultimately, “let more people through the gate”.
Event organiser, and South Canterbury Traction Engine and Vintage Steam volunteer, Nigel Gamble said the event was “two years in the making”.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
The event was facilitated through a grant from Venture Timaru, specifically for large scale events.
“Once we finish this one [event], we’re straight onto planning the next,” Gamble said.
“It’s a massive fundraiser for our museum and one of the best ways to attract people to our museum.”
On Saturday, the club also announced its re-branded name for the museum, which is also located in Levels.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Tony Haupt, left, and Ian Urquhart with a Hornsby stationary steam engine.
Also the club president, Gamble said it would change its name to Kyle Park, home of the South Canterbury Traction Engine and Vintage Steam Museum, but keep it as Kyle Park for short.
“It’s so much easier to say, ‘we’re going to Kyle Park’,” Gamble said.
The name originates from the Kyle family, who gifted the land the museum is on originally.
