Getting ready to celebrate the season
While there has been a lot of of snow on the mountains around the Wakatipu this week, Arrowtown is getting ready to celebrate autumn, putting the final touches on the village’s 34th annual autumn festival, which begins on Thursday. Festival coordinator C
Q How did you come to be involved in the autumn festival?
A friend who was involved in the festival tapped me on the shoulder one day and asked me to come along to their AGM. I retapped her shoulder to come back this year.
Q How long has work been going on behind the scenes for this year’s festival?
The festival is now a 12month job.
Q Unlike so many other events in the Wakatipu, the autumn festival seems to consistently focus primarily on local talent. Why is that important to you?
It’s extremely important to us as we consider ourselves a platform for locals to showcase their talent. Also, we are very fortunate that we have so many talented people in our community to choose from.
Q What are the events you are most looking forward to this year, and why?
The Outdoor Movie [Hunt for the Wilderpeople at Buckingham Green on Friday night] — it’s never been done as part of the festival before so I always get excited about how new events will go. La Nuit D’Extraordinaire [at the Athenaeum Hall on Saturday night]. I can’t wait to see this show as I know how much work and how many talented people will be involved. And the NZ Youth Choir concert [Tuesday, April 24 at the Athenaeum Hall] — it’s not every day we are able to present an internationally recognised group within our community festival.
The 34th Arrowtown Autumn Festival runs from April 19 to 25.