Father’s Day fuel up

The monthly meet and greet at the Riverlands Roadhouse are always a highlight for many of Marlborough’s motoring enthusiasts.

The Roadhouse Café will host vehicles and keen guests along for the Father’s Day Roadhouse Breakfast from 8am, before leaving at 11am to cruise to the Pelorus Tavern in Canvastown for the Show and Shine.

The Father's Day Roadhouse Breakfast, this year on September 1st, is always the largest – seeing 421 vehicles last year - and organiser Luton Anderson isn’t quite sure why.

“It seems to have morphed into being the biggest turnout of both vehicles and people turning up, which is great for us as an organisation and our fundraising efforts.

“The morning promises family orientated fun for the whole family, with delicious bacon butties and hot coffee available at the café alongside in-depth car conversations with petrolheads of all kinds welcome.

“I think the Fathers Day aspect helps, and people also love the drive out to the old Trout (Pelorus Tavern) in Canvastown, because they also always put on a great event and for people coming from Nelson further afield it’s a fun destination.”

Last year’s Father’s Day event saw people from as far as Geraldine for a total of 421 vehicles, but this month’s Roadhouse Breakfast comes tinged with sadness missing Mike Bulman and his iconic yellow Ford Falcon.

“Bully was always one of the first people in high vis guiding in drivers, and often the last to leave,” says

“My best mate is really missed, and the community has planned a great send off for him at the funeral though”.

Many local businesses have donated prizes for this year’s Father’s Day event fundraiser raffle going towards the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter, with tickets available in the leadup to the morning and at the Breakfast.

“You never know when you need them but when you do, you’re always glad to have them”, says Luton.

“In my experiences and having been a volunteer firefighter, hearing the chopper over ahead is always a relief – in my eyes, they should really be centrally funded so it’s great to show our appreciation as a car community”.

The Riverlands Roadhouse Father's Day Breakfast is from 8am to 11am at the Riverlands Roadhouse, before a Show and Shine at the Pelorus Tavern, Canvastown, from midday.