More than 10,000 people are expected to attend two-day gala events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Brighton district, near Dunedin, later this month.
Dunedin city councillor Colin Weatherall, who is a longstanding member of the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club, and his son, club president Scott Weatherall, are event co-ordinators for the activities, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, January 29 and 30.
The Brighton surf club had long organised an annual Sunday gala day, organisers said.
To mark the 150th anniversary, gala celebrations at the Brighton Domain would be spread over two days, starting on the Saturday afternoon with a 2pm pet parade and other entertainment for children, including an appearance by "Flick", a historical fire engine, Scott Weatherall said.
A concert featuring local entertainers, including country and western musicians, would follow that night.
About 150 stalls would operate at the domain on Sunday.
Several Brighton community groups would undertake fundraising activities and the entertainment would include cheaper-than-usual helicopter rides.
Organisers were emphasising affordable family "fun in the sun", reflecting Brighton's strong sense of community, he said.
In the early days, Brighton had five flax mills operating and, by 1890, five guest houses were being run there, organisers said.
By 1900, Brighton had become a leading holiday destination for the residents of Dunedin.
Celebrated poet James K. Baxter also once lived there with his parents.
Mr Weatherall said the expanded Sunday gala activities - "bigger and better than before" - were likely to attract more than the estimated 10,000 people who attended last year, with several thousand also expected on the Saturday.
Other Brighton anniversary events would also be held during the next six months and it was planned to publish an anniversary history of the area this year, he said.
