Summerset by the Sea residents and the wider Katikati community can travel back in time on April 19, when a hot rod display revs up to raise funds for the town’s volunteer fire brigade.

The Summerset by the Sea Hot Rod Display, to be hosted in association with Henry’s Rod Shop, will be held at Park Rd Reserve from 9.30am-2.30pm on Sunday, April 19.

Summerset by the Sea village manager Casey Hope, who is also a member of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade, had the idea for the event after an outing with residents.

“It came about from last year’s high tea at Athenree Homestead, when Henry’s Rod Shop picked up some of our Summerset residents to drive out and enjoy the day.

“We thought it’s best we return the favour and host an event here but we can also open it up to the wider community to enjoy while still making it accessible to Summerset residents who live across the road.”

Hope said Park Rd Reserve was chosen for the event to make it easy for Summerset residents to walk from the village and enjoy wheeled beauties of a range of sizes, shapes and colours.

“We want them to be able to come and have a look,” Hope said. “We have more than 250 residents in our village, who we know will really enjoy such an outing.”

People can expect to see classic cars, hot rods and Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade’s old fire engine.

“The old fire truck is a 1953 Ford that was converted into a fire appliance in the 1950s,” said Hope. “This truck is still owned by the brigade and will be on show at the Hot Rod Display on April 19.”

Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Craig Gray with his brigade’s old fire appliance – a converted 1953 Ford truck. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Craig Gray said his station has 30 volunteers in total, including six recruits undergoing training.

“So far this year we have attended 40 callouts. On average we attend roughly 200 callouts per year, including anything from rubbish fires to motor vehicle accidents.”

Funds raised at the display would go towards a project to replace the brigade’s ageing van, Gray said.

“We want to replace the van with a 4WD double-cab ute that we can use as a rapid response vehicle for medical events and rural fires. Anything raised would help us along with this project.”

Henry’s Rod Shop owner Ray Thompson said his business got involved in the fundraiser because he appreciates what the brigade does for the town and community. “They’re good bastards!”

Hope said the display would be a family-friendly event, with Summerset by the Sea’s cafe open next door in the village for food and refreshments along with a sausage sizzle at Park Road Reserve. “We will have extra staff in our cafe for the day so we hope the community can support us too.”

Hope said staff and the village resident committee, who were helping her organise the event, knew a hot rod display would be something special for Summerset residents.

“A lot of these hot rods and classic cars that will park up at the event will be the vehicles that our residents drove when they were young adults. So it brings that nostalgia of going back to their younger days when they were just starting out in the world and enjoying the freedom youth offers you. It will take them back to happy memories, I’m sure.”

Hope said people wanting to display their own classic cars or hot rods on April 19 should contact her before the event by email, casey.hope@summerset.co.nz, or phone Henry’s Rod Shop on 07 242 4367.