The sounds of rumbling engines is echoing through Whangamata as the 2016 Repco Beach Hop roars into action.

The much-loved six day festival, which is now underway and runs until Sunday, celebrates all things 50's and 60's, and is jammed packed with classic cars, hot rods, music, comedy and much more.

The 2016 Repco Beach Hop is back and roaring around Whangamata until this Sunday. Photo: Bart Ingram

The Hop is one of the largest annual events that takes place on the peninsula, drawing in crowds of more than 100,000 people and generates millions of dollars for the local economy.

A new addition to the beach Hop is the Whitianga Power Tour which kicked off the festival on Tuesday and involved a number of beautifully restored cars tiki touring to Whitianga for a parade through the town, plus an eagerly anticipated Ford vs Chevy drag race.

Today sees Hoppers heading on mass to Waihi for the Beach Hop Warm Up Party, then it's off to Tairua on Thursday for a beach party, and on Friday there's the Thunder Cruise to Onemana.

Then on Saturday, the Grand Parade will take place in Whangamata, followed by the Nostalgia Surf Fest at the Esplanade by Williamson Park on Sunday.

A great line up of music will also keep your toes tapping this year with international bands Retro Rockets, The Flattrakkers and Ricki Wood, plus Kiwi acts Tom Sharplin & The Cadillacs with Eddie Lowe, Suzanne and Shane Cortse, Tim & The Rockets and more taking to the stage.

There's also a range of other family related activities like a drive in movie, Low Brow art competition, Nostalgia Golf tournament, 60's style longboard competition, and the ever popular Hop Idol and a Nostalgia fair.

ROAD CLOSURES AND LIQUOR BANS

There will be a number of road closures in and around Whangamata this Friday and Saturday while the Beach Hop is taking place:

Friday, April 1 – 7am to 12pm

• Graham Street – from Ocean Road to Esplanade Drive
• Esplanade Drive – from Lowe Street to end of road
• Lowe Street – from Ocean Road to Esplanade Drive

Saturday, April 2 – 7am to 7pm

• Esplanade Drive – from Lowe Street to end of road
• Lowe Street – from Ocean Road to Esplanade Drive
• Beverley Terrace – from Graham Streetr to Lowe Street

Saturday, April 2 – 7am to 7.30pm

• Port Road from northern side of Ocean Road/Port Road roundabout to the southern side of Hunt Road/Port Road roundabout.
• Port Road also closed at each intersection with: Ocean Road, Lincoln Road, Aicken Road, Casement Road, Hetherington Road, Hunt Road, Winifred Avenue.

Saturday, April 2 – 10am to 11.30pm

• Chartwell Avenue – from Charleston Avenue to Port Road
• Hunt Road – from western side of roundabout to eastern side of Barbara Avenue
• Winifred Avenue – from Port Road to eastern side of Barbara Avenue
• Barbara Avenue – from Hunt Road to Ocean Road
• Port Road – from Chartwell Avenue to Hunt Road.

Beach Hop organisers are also reminding hoppers that a liquor ban will be enforced in all public places including roads, beaches and reserves from today until Monday, April 4.

Are you attending the Beach Hop? Email your photos and comments to: newsroom@thesun.co.nz

For more information and a schedule for the 2016 Repco Beach Hop visit: www.beachhop.co.nz