Hundreds of visitors swelled Oamaru at the weekend as it celebrated its Victorian heritage in a festival of 120 events.
The weather on Friday forcing the cancellation of the Victorian Garden Party was a dampener, but ‘‘we bounced back’’, Oamaru Heritage Celebrations 2024 cochairwoman Cyndi Christenson said.
‘‘We think it went really well. We’ve been really getting lots and lots of great feedback - we’re really pleased.’’
‘‘It was really heartening to see - it wasn’t just a bunch of white-haired people,’’ co-chairwoman Wendy Jones said.
And with a huge range of associated events including talks and walking tours running from last Wednesday there had been something to appeal to all generations.
All the individual events had gone very well, festival events co-ordinator Everall Dean said.
‘‘We’re getting excellent feedback from lots and lots of people, even though we had bad weather on Friday.
‘‘Honestly, talking to the other committee members, we’re so, so happy the way things have gone this year... the feedback we’re getting has been so complimentary,’’ he said.
Yesterday’s Network Waitaki Whitestone Civic Trust Victorian Fete, in the historic Harbour St precinct, was where it all began 35 years ago.
And the sun shone.
Trust vice-chairman Graeme Clark said it was hard to estimate but it was one of the best turnouts they had seen.
‘‘From my point of view, I think it went brilliantly.
‘‘We were very, very pleased. It was a fantastic crowd.
‘‘The day was kind to us - everything was successful - I’m most happy.’’
