Owaka's 150th jubilee celebrations started in style and bright colours yesterday afternoon.
Months of planning culminated in the official welcoming, the blessing of the Owaka waka sculpture, a "rainbow run'' and an afternoon barbecue.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan opened the celebrations at the Owaka Community Centre.
"I was told I could be speaking to 20 people or 200,'' he joked.
Residents came out in full support as upwards of 150 people attended the welcoming.
Mr Cadogan thanked the volunteers, who worked tirelessly on bringing people together.
"There's been a heck of a lot of hard work,'' he said.
Events like these did not just happen, he said.
"It's going to be an event we are going to remember.''
Organising committee convener Anne-Marie Holland said it was important to make the most of the event and enjoy it.
Ms Holland spent the past few months organising the event with support from committees such as Owaka Going Forward.
Other speakers included Catlins Soap Company chief executive Jude McNab.
The recently installed Owaka waka sculpture, designed by Russell Beck, was blessed by kaumatua Maureen Wylie after the welcome.
Mike McPhee buried a time capsule below the sculpture to be opened again at future celebrations.
The capsule contains a tourist map of the Catlins area, a timetable for the 150th celebrations, a letter from councillor Hilary McNab and newspaper articles about the event.
The Catlins Area School kapa haka group then performed.
After the blessing and unveiling, children and family members were encouraged to take part in a "Rainbow Run'', where they had to navigate a number of obstacles while being pelted with colourful dye.
Other events scheduled for the day included a heritage tour through Hunts Rd and a film evening at the Owaka Community Centre.
The 150th celebrations will continue over the weekend with exhibitions, a fete and market day, a variety concert, the Shipwreck Ball and a parade.
