The festival starts with the scarecrow competition on Buckingham Green tomorrow afternoon and the opening of the festival art exhibition at Lakes District Museum at night.
Ms Swale, who will be running her first festival, said the 2013 festival would again feature the usual family favourite events but also some out-of-town acts to spice things up.
Although ticket sales have been slow this month, Ms Swale is positive a late surge will see the main events sold out by the weekend.
''We have aimed at getting a variety for everyone, for all age groups and all interests.''
The 10-day festival boasts 59 events and this year the new director is promising ''a lot more surprises.''
Covering the position for last year's director Deborah Husheer, Ms Swale has enjoyed getting involved with the Arrowtown community, as well as working alongside the Autumn Festival team which includes Mrs Husheer, Lex Perkins and new member Paula Ryan.
''The local community has been outstanding. There are so many people in this town involved in the musical industry that you could host the whole festival on local talent.''
However Ms Swale said one aim for her was to get more people from Queenstown attending the opening parade on Saturday and next week's events all in Arrowtown. The festival this year introduced new events such as the ''Blast from the Past'' dress-up cabaret, to be held at the Athenaeum Hall on the opening Saturday, featuring the Beat Girls, of Wellington.
Those attending were encouraged to dress up in their favourite '50s, '60s or '70s gear and book a table for larger groups. Only a few tickets were left to sell, Ms Swale said.
Jazz musicians Dr Jason Thornton, Richard Adams and Nigel Gavin who will play earlier in the day. For the first time this year, the festival will hold a hypnotist evening with Dave Upfold on April 16.
Keeping to tradition, the Wallace and Gibb Art to Wear evenings are both sold out. They will feature 20 designers from Arrowtown through to Roxburgh and Te Anau. Local designers Helen Patterson, Melissa Hinves, Emma Carter and Stacy McTaggart all have entries and last year's winner Claire Maley, of Te Anau, will return for another show.
''They are all looking really amazing. The entry numbers are down, but the quality is up.''
Last year's successful Pint and Pie day held at the Fork & Tap restaurant will also return, with pies sourced locally from Cooks Deli, Mantra Restaurant and Love Espresso and craft beers from Tuatara, Emerson's and Moa.
''There will be more pies this year.''
Arrowtown Autumn Festival 2013 opening weekend events:
Friday, April 12
2pm: Scarecrow competition, Buckingham Green.
7.30pm: Art exhibition opening, Lakes District Museum.
Saturday, April 13
From 9:30am: Market parade and family fun featuring Golden times Vintage Car Display
• Arts and crafts markets
• Street theatre with Adrian Kirk
• Gold-panning
• Classic Flights Aerobatic Display
• Street parade
From 11am: Entertainment at Buckingham Green
12.15pm-12.50pm: Jason Thornton, jazz artist.
3pm-4pm: Richard and Nigel Gavin, jazz artists.
8pm: Blast from the Past Cabaret and dress-up
Sunday April 14
9.30am-4.40pm: Richard Adams workshop ''working on paper in abstraction'', Community clubrooms
10am: Arrow Ambles, meet at Lakes District Museum
10am: New Zealand gold-panning championships, Butlers Green
10.30am: Autumn Festival Church service, Buckingham Green
Noon: Shotover Country Music Club Concert, noon, Buckingham Green
1pm: Pub to pub challenge, Buckingham St
1.30pm-5pm: Pie and Pint Festival, Village Green
6pm: Buckingham Belles celebrate 25 years, Arrowtown Fire Station
7.30pm: ''It's Out of the Bag'', Athenaeum Hall
