Summerdaze on the way

People keen on getting a head start on planning their summer fun can now go online for a sneak peek at the entertainment on offer at the upcoming Summerdaze Summer Festival. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell said the calendar for the event, which kicks off on 31 December, was now live on the Summerdaze website and the programme would be delivered to mailboxes in the area in early December. 

“The weather is definitely starting to become summery, “said Mrs Maxwell, “and it’s time to start planning for January”.  

Summerdaze opens as always with the chance for locals and tourists to gather together at the Aurora Energy New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Queenstown and Wanaka.  

“From there we have a month-long programme of community events from sport to theatre and all points in between,” she said. 

Mrs Maxwell said two new events this year were bound to attract large crowds. 

“In Wanaka, we’re offering a season of ‘Drive-In Movies’ in association with Cinema Paradiso, “she said.” Twilight cinema had always been popular and she expected the new ‘twist’ would really catch people’s imagination. 

Wanaka would also play host to a Kite Festival including a kite making workshop and a grand kite display, featuring kites from the world renowned Peter Lynn team.  

Mrs Maxwell said there had been a big effort to make sure that the Summerdaze Summer Festival offered as many free events as possible. 

“It’s all about community and in many cases coming along won’t cost people anything more than their time. We see Summerdaze as a January-long celebration of the best of summer and we’re sure people will find a lot to enjoy when they check out the programme.” 

The Summerdaze Summer Festival programme was now available for download at www.summerdaze.co.nz.  

Deliveries of the programme to homes would begin in early December and physical copies would be available at QLDC offices and local libraries.