Tickets for the Owaka 150th Shipwreck Ball at the Owaka Community Centre are expected to sell out well before the town's jubilee in January 2016.
Celebrations convener Anne-Marie Holland said tickets were now on sale for the ball, where attendees are to wear pre-1965 clothing.
''It will be a big night,'' she said. For the past year, a committee of six, working alongside Owaka Going Forward, has planned a 38-event, four-day celebration for the town's sesquicentennial.
A waka unveiling ceremony, burying a time capsule, an art exhibition, photo displays, floral art displays, historic films, historic bus tours, a golf tournament, a fete day - with clothing, crafts, jewellery, wine, food, and music - a variety concert, an old-fashioned sports day, a beard-growing competition, a grand parade and an afternoon of live jazz music are expected to see the town's population swell next summer from January 7 to January 10.
Past and present families of Owaka were asked to put together family photo boards.
''Times have changed,'' Ms Holland said. But there was still a wealth of community spirit in town.
''It's a great area, it's a great community. And you just have to ask someone if they want to help, and they're only too happy to help you. We've got huge buy-in from the community.''
