Here’s hoping rotten produce is at the ready
It’s probably one of the few events where it’s perfectly okay to pelt competitors with rotten eggs and tomatoes.
In fact, the Big River Raft Race organisers are encouraging children to bring unwanted produce – they stress only the very soft squishy ones – to the event, which takes to the Clutha River today.
In time-honoured raft race fashion, people usually congregate on the Balclutha Road Bridge to greet competitors as they cross the finish line.
Raft race spokesman Matthew Morahan said his group, consisting of young business people, was looking forward to staging the event, which was successfully revived last year after a long absence on the south Otago event calendar.
However, the Cyclone Gita-induced weather bomb that delivered a dousing on Otago had caused some anxious finger-crossing for the organisers when Wednesday’s rain suddenly raised the Clutha River from drought level.
However, yesterday, the organisers received confirmation that the river level was safe to stage the race. ‘‘It was quite high last year. ‘‘If anything, it might make the race more interesting.’’
Last year, 16 rafts lined up at Begg’s Beach near Clydevale to start the 30km race. So far, 12 entries had been received, but more were expected to turn up on the day.
After the success and positive response to last year’s race, a festivalmarket will accompany this year’s event, on the Clutha River bank at Balclutha.
It will include entertainment from the band Noise Complaint, face painting, a water slide, stalls and a chocolate wheel.
The raft race starts at 10am, with the festival extending into the afternoon.