For the first time ever, Red CentreNATS will include a wedding in its 2021 program following a competition to find two loved-up car enthusiasts willing to say ‘I do’ at Australia’s Ultimate Festival of Wheels.
Event organisers were inspired to create a wedding competition this year after several couples got engaged and had children as a result of meeting at previous instalments of Red CentreNATS.
Bonnie and Joel Sykes are the lucky duo to win the wedding of their dreams, with the couple of 12 years set to tie the knot at Red CentreNATS in Alice Springs on Saturday, 4 September. The event runs from 3-5 September.
The Canberra residents were one of many couples from across the country who submitted a video explaining why they wanted to get hitched at Red CentreNATS. Up for grabs was a $15,000 wedding package and the chance to celebrate the two biggest loves of their life – their other half and their car!
Bonnie and Joel’s winning entry featured their four-wheeled pride and joy, and won over the judges with their hilarious and heart-warming story.
The lucky couple has won themselves an incredible wedding package including the ceremony, a celebrant, reception for up to 20 people, a hen’s and buck’s party, flowers, a cake, photography, videography and more.
The bride and groom will also have the chance to lead the popular street parade on Saturday, 4 September, with thousands of onlookers expected to cheer the newlyweds on through the streets of Alice Springs.
The Red CentreNATS wedding and reception will take place at Blatherskite Park on Saturday, 4 September and Sunday, 5 September respectively.
This year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, with an incredible program featuring everything from drags, burnouts, street cruising, a show & shine, motorkhana, grass driving and street parade to name a few.
To find out more, purchase tickets or enter, head to www.redcentrenats.com.au.
Quotes from Tim Watsford, CEO, Northern Territory Major Events Company:
“Set in the beautiful heart of Australia, Red CentreNATS is an iconic Territory event that attracts entrants and spectators from across the nation.
“It’s exciting to see the program evolve each year to offer more for entrants and spectators, with the 2021 event boasting an incredible wedding ceremony and reception for two very lucky car enthusiasts.
“The Red Centre is such a beautiful part of our country. What better place to tie the knot than against the stunning backdrop of the West MacDonnell Ranges?
“This unique event does so much for our economy by attracting thousands of entrants and spectators to Alice Springs, generating numerous benefits for the region and its people. We look forward to growing Red CentreNATS in size and popularity for years to come.”
Quotes from Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez:
“Huge congratulations to Bonnie and Joel on taking out the Red CentreNATS wedding – these nuptials are going to be epic.
“In the past we’ve seen couples get engaged at Red CentreNATS and then go on to have children, but this is our first wedding. We couldn’t be happier to see two of our amazing entrants make their love official at Australia’s Ultimate Festival of Wheels.
“Get your tickets to Red CentreNATS 07 and we’ll meet you in the middle for what’s shaping up to be an incredible weekend for the whole family!”
Quotes from winning couple Bonnie and Joel Sykes:
“We’ve been together for 12 years and engaged for six years – since then we’ve had two kids, Noah, 5 and Chloe, 9 months. I didn’t think we’d ever actually get married so I went and legally changed my surname to Sykes.
“We were so excited when we found out we won the wedding competition – we are completely over the moon. It’s such a great opportunity and we are super grateful.
“We are really happy that we’re finally getting married and can’t wait to enter this year’s Red CentreNATS. Getting to lead the street parade is huge too, we are so excited!”
Media Contact: NT Major Events Company Media Specialist 0439 065 321
