Queenstown will get a taste of Rio de Janiero's Mardi Gras in March, if organisers get resource consent to hold a South American festival.
Queenstown woman Nadia Hughes has applied to the Queenstown Lakes District Council to hold an annual Southern American festival and parade for a period of five years "to show culture of South American countries".
Her application says the not-for-profit free event would be held on March 5 from 6pm to 10pm.
The festival would begin with a parade from the One Mile car park to the Queenstown Bay beach, and would feature bongo drummers and dancers.
A party on the beach would have South American music, dancers and food stalls "to taste the flavour" of South America.
"As we all know, we have quite a number of South Americans living with us in Queenstown and the proposal is to introduce [a] little bit of their culture to town.
"South America is mainly known for its carnival," she said.
Ms Hughes said the festival would help South Americans living in Queenstown feel more at home.
"Everybody, of course, will be involved in this party as, from experience, when the rhythm of South America starts playing, nobody can just stand and watch without moving."
The party on the beach would finish at 10pm and would move to Queenstown bars, where projections of the carnival in Brazil would be played.
Lakes Environment planners have requested more information on recycling, portable toilets, the size of the stage and type of music.
The council's property subcommittee considered the application for a reserve permit for the festival at its meeting yesterday.
The decision was put on hold because the committee needed more information.
