Wanaka tourism worker Amber Perry is one of the many volunteers from charitable trust Out&About who is helping to co-ordinate the festival.
She has been in charge of organising sponsors and wrangling market stall holders for tomorrow’s big day.
"Halfway through the week and everyone is really excited that there’s more events than last year. The energy has definitely been ‘wow’. I can’t believe it has grown from this one-day key event into seven days," she said.
The support showed the queer community had plenty of allies, which was encouraging, she said.
"It [the first street party] was developed in two months last year and this year, we have had a whole year to set some more goals," she said.
Out&About emerged after reports last year of bullying at a student-organised Mount Aspiring College (Mac) pride parade on school grounds.
Ms Perry said Mac was "doing a great job" of supporting youth, who had set up a Queer and Straight Alliance.
When she was a teenager in the United States, she belonged to a similar alliance at her school, she said.
Out&About wanted to create more visibility, awareness of and support for the town’s queer community, she said.
Last year, about 1200 people turned up to the street party, sparking the idea of a week-long festival.
A similar number is expected at tomorrow’s market day and visitor numbers were looking promising.
Rhyme & Reason had been packed for a movie night on Monday, while 40 people were at Tuesday’s Living Library session at the Wanaka Public Library, featuring five local speakers.
Queer Quarterly Reads was held on Wednesday at Next Chapter, while last night people gathered at Rhyme & Reason again for Queers & Beers.
Today, the festival is hosting Pride Pledge Training for businesses, while tonight’s event features entertainment from Lady Bubbles, of Christchurch.
Saturday is the street party and market day, with three stages and 25 stalls, inside and outside the Lake Wanaka Centre.
There would not be a parade down the main street, Ms Perry confirmed.
"We have decided to make the Lake Wanaka Centre our home for the weekend."
Ms Perry said she wanted to make a shout-out to the many businesses, funding trusts and charitable foundations that had provided grants or help in kind.
The volunteer team would include travellers on working holiday visas, who were looking forward to helping create a safe place.
"It is positive to find out where we are going to go. We are just a year or two in and we already have all this energy," Ms Perry said.
