This year's Art Deco celebrations at Ranfurly will all be held on one day instead of the usual two, and organisers say the patrons will be happy about that.
Bill Acklin, of Bill Acklin Entertainments, has the challenge of organising this year's festival on Saturday, February 21, but he has the experience of last year to draw on.
"It's our 10th anniversary next year, and we plan to go big on that. To keep the event alive and kicking this year, we are holding the street events during the day and the cabaret at night," he said.
With funding becoming more difficult to obtain, Mr Acklin said holding all the events in one day helped with the cost.
"We can pack a lot into one day and it will be very affordable. The way times are for people and families, it needs to be very affordable."
Adults will pay a $5 entry fee and children are free.
A pool party will be held at the Ranfurly Swimming Pool at the same time as the street festival during the afternoon, so children can be entertained while the adults enjoy the festivities.
Entertainment will be provided by the same artists as last year "because they were so well received," Mr Acklin said.
Steve Larkins will be there to perform his Freddie Mercury act, and he will play a few songs outside the railway station at 3pm and then do a full show at 5pm.
Marian Burns will also play a few country songs and then do a full show later in the evening.
There will be a magic show, as well as a fashion show by bathing belles in keeping with the theme.
The well-patronised cabaret begins at 8pm and the street party runs from 5pm to 9pm.
Mr Acklin said it was a little strange this year not having the founder of the Art Deco Festival and long-time supporter Edna McAtamney involved in the organisation of the festival.
Holding the festival on just one day did not mean the accommodation providers would miss out, as generally 80% of those attend-ing the cabaret were from out of town and booked out the available beds in advance, Mr Acklin said.
