Festival lights up Oamaru

Lighting up the night at Oamaru’s Fire and Steam event yesterday are, from left, Martyn Collings, aka Lord Otto Van der Brass, of Wellington; Allen Borgwardt, of Wisconsin; Montague Jacques Fromage, of New York; Xavier Crow, of Wanaka; Ray Meadows, aka Sir Regginald Hawthorn-Smyth, of Wellington; and Terry Lobb, aka Lady Teressa, of Whanganui. The stilt walkers are Tiffany Menzies and TJ Slammer. Photo:Stephen Jaquiery.

Ticket-takers estimated crowd numbers as "a couple of thousand" and Tourism Waitaki spokeswoman Lucianne White said more people than expected had taken part in an event  that was put on for the community.

"We really wanted it to be a real community effort and a [night to] come out and meet up with your friends.

"There’s fire. There’s entertainment."

Fire performers entertained  while members of the public  danced or checked out  other events in theprecinct,  including a street parade.

Oamaru’s Kara Matheson and Mike Dalton were impressed with how family-friendly the night was.

Waimate’s Anna Clarkson said the event had a "brilliant atmosphere".

"I think it’s amazing."

Sharron and Gordon Caughey, of Evansdale, enjoyed their third visit to the annual event.

Mr Caughey said it was the atmosphere and Steampunk which kept bringing them back.

The Steampunk Festival started on Thursday and runs until Monday.