The annual Brass Monkey Rally is being held in Central Otago's Ida Valley for the fortieth and final time this weekend.
The Brass Monkey Motorbike Rally in Central Otago Photo: Brass Monkey Rally / Facebook
The event has been held on Ken Gillespie's farm in Oturehua every Queen's Birthday weekend since 1981.
Earlier this week Gillespie spoke to Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan saying past events had attracted large crowds, with up to 5000 attending in 1991, but that numbers had dropped over the last few years.
Not so the age of the people who run the rally.
"The same people who were organising it 40 years ago are still organising it. I'm not saying we're getting old but it's not as easy as it used to be," Gillespie said.
Ken Gillespie prepares the bonfire for the Brass Monkey Rally in Central Otago. Photo: Supplied
The rally is a chance for motorbike enthusiasts to check out all kinds of bikes and simply hang out, Gillespie said.
He said people from around the country have attended the events and often they only meet up once a year at Brass Monkey.
"Riders come from all over the country, most people arrive on the Saturday.., It's a great meeting point. Come and have a yarn and a quiet little dram. Listen to the band at night by the bonfire... we have quite a fireworks display. Then on the Sunday move towards riding back home again."
He said it gives people the chance to see all the different bikes.
Gillespie said people stay in tents but it can be brisk with temperatures getting as low as -15C.
He said the Brass Monkey rally has all been for the community and past takings have funded a number of ventures such as a new catering shed on the rally site, renovations for the canteen at the Idaburn Dam, new tennis courts and a roof for the swimming pool.
