The celebrations have begun.
After two years of planning, Arrowtown began the biggest party in its history today, celebrating the sesquicentennial of the discovery of gold - and the foundations of the Queenstown Lakes District.
Following a week of unsettled weather, the skies cleared this morning allowing organisers to breathe a sigh of relief ahead of the three biggest days the town has ever seen.
A market on the Library Green this morning provided plenty of offerings for visitors and residents, including food, jewellery, art work, coffee and fresh fruit, with entertainment by the Buckingham Belles and Arrow Miners Band.
The arrival of the New Zealand Army Band got the party started with hundreds gathering to tap their feet and sing along.
A display of centenary vehicles along Buckingham St kept petrol heads entertained before one of the highlights of the Labour Weekend celebrations - the re-enactment of the discovery of gold in the Arrow River.
Thousands lined the flood banks to take in the action, beginning with "Jack Tewa" striking it rich in the river - signalling the beginning of the gold rush.
More than 120 residents took part in the hour-long performance before the New Zealand Army Band led the crowd to Butler's Green for the official opening.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the pioneers of the town would be "absolutely delighted" to see the number of people in attendance this afternoon.
She paid particular tribute to the Chinese miners who stayed in the settlement long after those looking to strike it rich quickly left.
"They stayed here until their work was done. Some never went home at all, but died here in the gold fields. Without those Chinese workers, we would be telling a very different story here today."
Also present at the official opening was Chinese Consul-General Madam Xiutian Tan who said the days of the gold rush and the arrival of Chinese miners was the first step to building a relationship between the two countries.
"It is important to honour our past, but it's even more important to carry on . . . and work together for a better future.
"As Consul-General I can assure you my colleagues and I will do the best we can to support these efforts.
"Let's start from now."
Madam Tan was honoured with a Chinese Lion and Chinese Dragon dance - the latter performed by Chinese Dragon Dancers from Dunedin, before 16,000 fireworks were set off in a two-minute display - a Chinese tradition to ward off evil spirits.
Those gathered then meandered through the Chinese Village, taking in the Chinese Village Theatre performances, before some went home and put their feet up and others began preparations for The Gold Ball, which begins at 7.30pm.
