Celebration to mark end of cavalcade
THE big day is finally here.
Hundreds of cavalcaders arrive in Lake Hawea today, ready to kick back, relax, and have a hoedown. Organisers were busy yesterday at the Hawea Domain, preparing the venue for a crowd of up to 4000.
Cavalcade to Hawea committee chairman Warren Hewson said a team of 20 committee members and 60 volunteers had been hard at work this week getting everything ready, and the weather was playing ball.
‘‘It’s exciting. It’ll be a great thing for Hawea, being able to showcase our weather, lake and hospitality.’’
This morning, at 10.30am, around 350 horse trail riders will parade through Lake Hawea township to the Hawea Domain, where the other 300 trail riders will join them in a parade around the domain.
A market with about 50 trade stalls, shearing, woodchopping, breweries, wineries and entertainment will also lighten up the day.
Four hundred people will enjoy a catered meal, before about 700 to 800 people dance the night away at the traditional hoedown this evening.
Cavalcade coordinator Terry Davis said the week had been ‘‘fantastic’’.
‘‘There’s been some exciting weather, and mostly some very nice weather.
‘‘There’s been a couple of issues — someone went to hospital with a broken leg — but that’s what you have to expect with that number of people in the mountains.
‘‘Overall, we’re very happy. We think the host town has done a great job and it’s all looking awesome.’’