The biggest social event in Port Vila, Vanuatu is the annual Kiwanis Charity Race Day. It is a tropical island version of the Melbourne Cup – it stops the nation. Eight heart stopping races are run on a track like no other.
The race attracts around 10,000 race goers, and is the start of the Independence celebrations. “Race day in Vanuatu beats Flemington’s party atmosphere hands down,” said one enthusiast. The race even lures Aussie stewards and race callers.
This map indicates the areas visitors from all over the world come for this one special day:
Jockeys train fiercely to be the best they can be.
However, the majority of the jockeys have grown up riding wild horses without bridles, or helmets and most often go bare foot. The race weekend commences with:
- Gala Charity Ball Thursday 16th July 2009
- Calcutta Dinner Friday Night 17th July 2009
- Race Day Saturday 18th July 2009
“As a Port Vila race week survivor, I highly recommend attending every event. It’s a great way to meet the locals. It’s also a fun way to raise funds for local schools,” says Wendy Hargreaves.
Dozens of locals and overseas visitors dress up in their finest gear for the chance to win prizes in the fashion parades, while other punters wear shorts, shirt and thongs. The temperatures are around the mild mid 20’s. Of course if it has rained the night before you might have to watch out for the odd large patch of mud.
Punters are able to have a flutter on the eight races, at a tote run by local bank clerks. Proceeds from the day going to assist local schools, who get very little assistance from the government.
The Vanuatu Kiwanis Club has the biggest membership in the South Pacific region. Peter Wilson, race chairman, a well known local entity, has been involved in the races since the commencement of the event in 1985. All in the fun of a once-been-to-never-forgotten tropical island bush one-day charity horse race.
If you would like tickets to the Kiwani Horse Race please contact Wendy on admin@youmesupport.org
This is a strictly limited offer.
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Tags: country horse racing, country sport, Kiwanis charity horse race, Kiwanis charity horse race vanuatu, one day horse race in Vanatu., picnic races, sport, travel, tropical island, tropical island horse race, Vanuatu
2 Responses to “Biggest Event In Vanuatu Social Calendar”
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June 14th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Biggest Event In Vanuatu Social Calendar…
Don’t miss out on the biggest and most colorful event in the Vanuatu social calendar. The annual Kiwanis Charity Race Day….
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:51 am
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