New events on show at Autumn Festival

Belly dancers (front, from left) Steve Kay, Bee Smith and Uan Spijkerbosch; (rear) Chris Dogg and Gary Clearwater will be part of the belly dancing performance during Autumn Festival’s La Nuit D’extraordinaire. Photo: Supplied

Arrowtown Autumn Festival has three new events this year.

Festival co-ordinator Carole Watts was excited to see what the new events would add to the line-up. Crews spent yesterday packing equipment into Arrowtown for today’s opening.

New events include an outdoor movie showing, La Nuit D’extraordinaire — a variety show which would replace the aged festival ball, and the New Zealand Youth Choir concert.

Mrs Watts said it would be ‘‘awesome".

As part of the peculiar variety show, five men will take the stage to show off their newly learned belly dancing skills.

The festival will also include a scarecrow competition, parade, Pie, Pint and Pinot event, gold panning championships, dog show, duck race, historic tree walk and an arts and crafts market, among other things.

During the festival a ceremony will be held to celebrate Arrowtown’s new Landmark Whenua Tohunga status which recognises the town’s cultural significance.

The festival runs until April 25.

- Mandy Cooper