Kaitangata Black Gold Heritage Museum is overseeing the "Blood on the Coal'' Heritage Festival from February 24, which will mark the town's 1879 mining disaster.
On February 21 that year, an explosion in the Kaitangata No 1 mine killed 34 local men and boys.
The blast had been caused by mine manager William Hodge's brother Archibald carrying a naked flame into the mine, igniting a lethal build-up of "firedamp'' - methane and other gases.
Although mines were often dangerous places to work, the 1879 disaster was notable for the numbers killed and subsequent public and official reaction, festival convener Joyce Beck said.
"Nearly 16,000 was raised for the families of the deceased through a relief fund, and mining safety laws that had, until that point, been largely ignored were suddenly enforced, improving conditions somewhat for miners. So it was a significant historic event for many reasons.''
"The mines here have played a major part in many local families' lives and have been the foundation of Kaitangata's establishment and growth. Unfortunately, some of the former miners still alive today might not be around for a 150th.''
Festival events included social gatherings, oral history talks and presentations and a "hands-on'' heritage day at the town's community hall on March 31, where visitors could get a taste of living in times past, Mrs Beck said.
"The children of today - and many of their parents - have been born into a different world to that of the early settlers and miners' families. The ways families used to look after themselves can be fascinating for those who've never experienced those things. We'll have a wide range of activities and demonstrations illustrating some of those aspects of life, like traditional kids' games, sock darning, scone making and much more.''
Local historian and writer Denise Dent was putting the finishing touches to an original festival play, also called Blood on the Coal.
The title was a commonly voiced piece of miners' lore relating to their trade, Mrs Dent said.
"The price of industrial progress has often been paid in blood by those at the coalface. There's always blood on the coal, it's said.''
Her play, to be performed on April 14, would draw on extensive research she had carried out into the experiences of those left behind.
"The disaster left 24 widows, and more than 80 children without a father. Who were these people, and how did they manage? The play will answer these questions and more.''
