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Yep, it’s that crazy time of year again……..
the Queenstown Winter Festival. The festival got into full swing
on Saturday, kicking off with the infamous street parade at
midday. Hundreds lined the streets of Queenie to watch over
40 clolourful floats and dozens of performers fill the streets
with a debris of fun. |
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The Lindeaur/ nzski.com float donned
a giant white dancing balloon man, and covered the cheerful crowds
with showers of fake snow. The Queenstown Fire Service, fully clad
in fire fighting gear, performed a comical song and dance item ‘learn
not to burn’, amidst smoke and billowing fire extinguishers.
Huge 19th century dames with ruffled dresses and towering white wigs
blew kisses from to the crowd as they bounded by on stilts. Lord Of
The Rings style riders in black cloaks followed closely behind, their
silver boned hands and black daggers gleaming in the sun. Children
scrambled for lollies while others dodged water balloons and hunks
of snow hurled from the floats into the crowd. Queenstown local Lorraine
Woodward said the parade was better organised than previous years.
“There’s a good cross section of floats this year, with
more support from within the community.” Festival first-timers
Emma Burman and Adam Logan from London said they loved the parade,
and were surprised at how busy Queenstown was. “We arrived a
few days ago, and suddenly the town was teaming with people! It’s
a great atmosphere, and we’re really looking forward to the
rest of the festival.”
Late afternoon Earnslaw Park began buzzing with festival frivolity,
as people flocked to the festival opening party. Faces turned skywards
to watch the low flying dare devil antics of stunt pilot Rob Silich
ofActionflite. The crowd was then kept entertained by several live
acts, including funky seven piece jazz/ska band WBC from Auckland,
and old-time rocker Wayne Johnson who performed hi award winning
song ‘Nature’. As dusk fell gloved hands clutched Mulled
wine and hot cider, and the queues swelled for a taste of indian
curry, thai noodles and chicken wraps.
Queenstown was then treated to the local talent of Wakatipu Secndary
Schhool Kapa Haka group. The 30-strong group performed confidently,
young faces boldly lead a powerful haka, and poi dancers accompanied
rounded harmonies in the cold air.
But the Fire and Ice spectacular that followed stole the show.
In a narrative set to contemporary electronica, ice maidens in glittering
white dresses with flowing silken pois battled fire demons in dark
suits and red faces and their barrage of fiery weapons. The show
blended well-choreographed dance routines, chilling music and fabulous
costumes with the skills of poi and staff dancing, in a dramatic
and eye-opening experience. Children squealed in glee and fright
as red-robed men breathed fire onto panels which erupted in flame
before of the crowd. Delicatre ice maidens swooped around the stage
taunted by the demons with fiery talons attached to their fingers,
all surrounded by dark, bassy beats. The performance ended in a
wave of cheering and clapping from the crowd.
The opening party ended with it’s annual fire display over
lake Wakatipu, sending showers of red, blue and gold whirring and
piercing the sky. Once again the Queenstown Winterfest has opened
with a bang, and its all go from here on in. You’d better
have your dancing shoes ready and your panadol’s stocked ‘cos
there’s a whole lot a partying to be had at the nations biggest
winter shakedown. Check out the source winterfest special two-week
edition for what’s on at the bars and clubs around town, and
don’t be surprised if you tear your hair out trying to decide
what to go to.
Inga Boyd. / boarderzone team
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