McGazzaFest 2017
In true McGazza spirit, this three-day celebration of Kelly McGarry’s legacy welcomes riders of all ability levels to Queenstown, New Zealand for a unique mountain bike experience in honour of a fallen legend. January 27th - January 29th 2017.
The weekend kicks off on Friday night with the McGazza Memorial Megatrain. The train will proceed down the Queenstown Bike Park trails and through downtown Queenstown to Atlas Beer Cafe on Steamer Wharf - a favourite of Kelly’s and locals alike for craft beers. Kelly’s 2013 Red Bull Rampage bike has been restored and will be hanging permanently above the bar.
![McGazza FEST]()
On Saturday, The Fernhill Loop Group Ride and Memorial unveiling will take place at the top of the trail where Kelly passed. There will be an unveiling of a huge macrocarpa timber table that has been lovingly built and placed there to honour Kelly and let riders “Chill with McGazza.” Riders are encouraged to share McGazza memories as they bear witness to the dedication of the memorial and location with the hashtag #mcgazzaforever.
![Mcgazza memorial bench]()
![Mcgazza memorial rock]()
![McGazza FEST]()
Saturday's celebrations continue with the Wynyard/Dream Track Jump Jam. This spectator-friendly jam is not to be missed. QMTBC’s Wynyard Bike Park’s Dream Track jumps were Kelly’s local stomping ground and have been featured in countless mountain bike photos and films over the past decade.
Saturday night sees the official launch party of the Kelly McGarry Foundation upstairs at Lonestar Queenstown. The foundation will announce key projects for 2017, raffle prizes, and auction mountain bike parts and gear throughout the evening. All proceeds will benefit the foundation.
On Sunday, the weekend wouldn’t be complete without visiting the QMTBC’s renowned Gorge Road dirt jumps. Riders and spectators alike are welcome to join in Sunday’s noon send-off session, featuring a casual jump jam, barbecue and D.J.
![Photo Credit Sven Martin]()
Kelly’s good friend and business partner Tom Hey:
“Anyone who had the privilege to have spent time with McGazza or even just followed his life through the media couldn't help but be stoked on how he lived his life. He was 100% focused on having fun and making sure everyone else was too.
It was an honour to have ridden, worked and laughed with Kelly over the past ten years and I feel very lucky to have crossed paths and call him a close friend.
With the Kelly McGarry Foundation, we plan to continue Kelly's legacy by creating an experience that will enhance thousands of people lives and give them a taste of what it was like to live like McGazza.
The McGazzaFest will be all about how Kelly lived his life, jam packed with bikes, mates and good times. Pretty much what Kelly did every day but with an entourage of friends, family and fans from around the world. Come celebrate a life well spent where Kelly lived shredding his local spots!”
Please join us for a weekend of riding and a celebration of the legend Kelly hosted by The Kelly McGarry Foundation, January 27th - January 29th 2017.
The Kelly McGarry Foundation would like to extend its thanks to the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club (QMTBC), Lonestar, Vertigo Bikes, Sensus, Goldman Lawyers, Heli Glenorchy, and YT Industries for their unwavering support.
The Kelly McGarry Foundation:
For more information and media pack, please visit www.McGarryFoundation.com
 |
 | Kelly McGarry was the epitome of good. If I had to pick one person to be the face of happiness and positivity for the world, it would be this one atop a gigantic body with bright long hair; the easiest to pick out in a crowd so you always know where the biggest, happiest smile is. Anyone who had ever met this giant beam of sunshine knows how awesome and genuine he was. - Cam Zink |
The weekend kicks off on Friday night with the McGazza Memorial Megatrain. The train will proceed down the Queenstown Bike Park trails and through downtown Queenstown to Atlas Beer Cafe on Steamer Wharf - a favourite of Kelly’s and locals alike for craft beers. Kelly’s 2013 Red Bull Rampage bike has been restored and will be hanging permanently above the bar.
On Saturday, The Fernhill Loop Group Ride and Memorial unveiling will take place at the top of the trail where Kelly passed. There will be an unveiling of a huge macrocarpa timber table that has been lovingly built and placed there to honour Kelly and let riders “Chill with McGazza.” Riders are encouraged to share McGazza memories as they bear witness to the dedication of the memorial and location with the hashtag #mcgazzaforever.
Saturday's celebrations continue with the Wynyard/Dream Track Jump Jam. This spectator-friendly jam is not to be missed. QMTBC’s Wynyard Bike Park’s Dream Track jumps were Kelly’s local stomping ground and have been featured in countless mountain bike photos and films over the past decade.
Saturday night sees the official launch party of the Kelly McGarry Foundation upstairs at Lonestar Queenstown. The foundation will announce key projects for 2017, raffle prizes, and auction mountain bike parts and gear throughout the evening. All proceeds will benefit the foundation.
On Sunday, the weekend wouldn’t be complete without visiting the QMTBC’s renowned Gorge Road dirt jumps. Riders and spectators alike are welcome to join in Sunday’s noon send-off session, featuring a casual jump jam, barbecue and D.J.
Photo Credit: Sven Martin
Kelly’s good friend and business partner Tom Hey:
“Anyone who had the privilege to have spent time with McGazza or even just followed his life through the media couldn't help but be stoked on how he lived his life. He was 100% focused on having fun and making sure everyone else was too.
It was an honour to have ridden, worked and laughed with Kelly over the past ten years and I feel very lucky to have crossed paths and call him a close friend.
With the Kelly McGarry Foundation, we plan to continue Kelly's legacy by creating an experience that will enhance thousands of people lives and give them a taste of what it was like to live like McGazza.
The McGazzaFest will be all about how Kelly lived his life, jam packed with bikes, mates and good times. Pretty much what Kelly did every day but with an entourage of friends, family and fans from around the world. Come celebrate a life well spent where Kelly lived shredding his local spots!”
Please join us for a weekend of riding and a celebration of the legend Kelly hosted by The Kelly McGarry Foundation, January 27th - January 29th 2017.
The Kelly McGarry Foundation would like to extend its thanks to the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club (QMTBC), Lonestar, Vertigo Bikes, Sensus, Goldman Lawyers, Heli Glenorchy, and YT Industries for their unwavering support.
The Kelly McGarry Foundation:
For more information and media pack, please visit www.McGarryFoundation.com
Author Info:
Member since Jan 3, 2013
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
12 Comments
- 36 0
wypler
(Dec 19, 2016 at 3:31)
#mcgazzaforever
- 19 1
kit-nz
(Dec 19, 2016 at 15:47)
Tear up.... then TEAR IT UP!!! #mcgazzaforever
- 7 0
Toofastnotsofurious
(Jan 3, 2017 at 16:29)
I am so thrill this is going to be done in the memory of such a great and free spirit rider like Kelly Mcgazza!
I really wish this is the beginning of something big for years to come!!! he well deserve it!!!
- 2 0
TrailworksNZ
(Jan 3, 2017 at 19:46)
Kelly was effing awesome, he'd be stoked as on this and would make all comers feel like part of the crew, its just how he was. A great way to celebrate what he [and his mates] are all about, well in Tom, QMTBC and all the Qtown crew, it'll be epic
- 3 0
markpartain
(Jan 3, 2017 at 8:27)
yep... I teared up ...Awesome Human he was ... #mcgazzaforever
- 2 0
Trials-FTW
(Jan 3, 2017 at 12:23)
Thought this gonna be a FEST hit. Makes good sense to me. Why this ain't a FEST hit? :/
- 2 0
EckNZ
(Dec 19, 2016 at 22:03)
Sounds like an awesome event for an awesome guy.
- 1 0
GOGRANDE
(Jan 4, 2017 at 0:25)
I miss the big guy. This is awesome. I wish I could fly out and join in the fun. See you this Summer, Tom.
- 2 0
captballjack
(Jan 4, 2017 at 5:00)
damn... I still get a lump in my throat anytime I read about Kelly.
- 1 0
marcusm007
(Jan 6, 2017 at 13:16)
Wuhu, I am coming ;-)
- 2 5
Jsmith123
(Jan 3, 2017 at 8:47)
Fest Series is getting some dope additions for next summer
- 3 0
Pedalen
(Jan 3, 2017 at 9:00)
Do you read anywhere in the article that it is those boys arranging this? Burgers man..
Login or Sign Up