Event organisers hail weekend a success
Organisers of two major events held in the Mackenzie District over the weekend have hailed their respective events a success.
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve Association board member Kirsty Phillips said the Starlight Festival, which was based at Mt Cook, had been ‘‘absolutely fantastic’’.
Phillips said keynote speaker, NASA Scientist, Dr Natalie Batalha had been ‘‘incredible’’ to listen to and had attracted a sell- out crowd.
Batalha’s talk, A Planet for Goldilocks, focused on NASA’s search for life in so-called ‘Goldilocks zones’, Phillips said.
Such zones are said to have planets which are not too hot, and not too cold, and could offer conditions which may prove just right to support life.
Phillips said the event had been ‘‘really busy’’ and organisers were ‘‘really happy’’ with how it had played out.
Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve Board chairman John Hearnshaw estimated the cost of putting on the festival would sit between $25,000 and $30,000.
South African astronomer Kevin Govender and Japanese astronomer Sze-leung Cheung had also spoken at the festival.
Hearnshaw said the cost of hosting the international key note speakers was the biggest expense, but he was confident the festival would ‘‘break even’’.
’’The demand has been better than expected,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re really happy about it. We were really nervous, but this third year ... the response has been excellent.’’
State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Twizel and State Highway 80 from Lake Pukaki to Aoraki/Mt Cook can officially be known as the Starlight Highway after signs were erected across the district on Friday.
Fairlie annual Heritage Market Day was also held on Saturday, in mark the anniversary of the establishment of the town.
Fairlie Heritage Market organiser Maureen McColl said the day had been very successful.
Around 70 stallholders, from around South Canterbury, had attended the market, McColl said.
Wood carving, local food and wine, clothing, jewellery, plants and arts and crafts were all on display, she said.
‘‘You name it, it was there. We are very happy with how it went.’’
The Fairlie Volunteer Fire Brigade did a jaws of life demonstration, there were horse rides and zorb ball rides for the children as well as a cake baking competition for men in the community, she said.
Accommodation providers were almost fully booked ahead of the two events, with hotels at maximum capacity on Friday.