The third Festival of Colour of Wanaka is in the "pleasant" financial situation of having raised all its budget, festival chairman John Beattie said this week.
The six-day event, from April 28-May 3, has a budget of about $800,000 and has received three major grants, totalling at least $200,000, from Creative New Zealand, the Central Lakes Trust and the Community Trust of Otago.
Benefactors include Trade Me founder Sam Morgan, who is the new owner of Hillend Station on the outskirts of Wanaka, and Lady Adrienne Stewart, a Christchurch company director and arts patron.
There are 17 main sponsors as well as a long list of supporting funders, smaller Wanaka sponsors and festival patrons.
Mr Beattie told patrons and sponsors at the festival programme launch on Thursday night he was in the "pleasant situation" of not having to chase any more funding, praising the work done by festival deputy chairwoman Prue Wallis and festival director Philip Tremewan.
"We can all look forward to this festival with a great deal of confidence. Nothing but the quality of the performances is of concern to us right now."
The festival was a "beacon of light and creativity" in the economic gloom.
