Summerdaze Off To A Great Start

After launching with a bang on New Year’s Eve, the Summerdaze festival is continuing to heat things up in the entertainment arena.

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell said the next few weeks would offer a feast of events from movies to sport and all points in between.
“Queenstown will be hosting the Pub Charity National Rugby 7’s this weekend and the Glenorchy Races will attract big crowds too,” she said.

“’We’re also looking forward to the inaugural ‘Race the Train’ event at Kingston on Sunday.”
‘Race the Train’ gives people the chance to participate in a 5km or 12km trail run alongside the Kingston Flyer and potentially ‘beat the train’ into Kingston Railway Station.

“It’s a novel event and people can choose to walk, jog or be more competitive,” Mrs Maxwell said.

People who preferred a more leisurely pace would be well served by the season of Outdoor Movies in Wanaka, presented by Cinema Paradiso.

“There’s music, action and family fun on offer this year,” Mrs Maxwell said. “Everyone will be singing along with season opener ‘Mama Mia’ this Saturday night. Families will love ‘Up’ and ‘The Goonies’ and the high octane thrills of ‘Top Gun’ will provide the perfect finish on Saturday 28 January.”

The movies will be screened at the Wanaka Show Grounds around 9.30 pm on Saturday 7, 14 and 28 of January as well as Friday 27 January.

“There’s also a very special Chinese brush painting workshop In Arrowtown on 14 January which is open to both adults and children. Bookings are advised for this but there are still spaces available,” Mrs Maxwell said.

There’s plenty to see and do this summer district wide with many of the events either no charge or at very little cost.”

“We’d love to see as many people as possible coming along and enjoying all the fun things that are taking place.”

The Summerdaze event calendar is available from QLDC offices and local libraries and can also be downloaded from the Summerdaze website www.summerdaze.co.nz

Race the Train

Fairlight Railway Station

10am

Sunday 8 January

Cinema Paradiso Outdoor Movies

Wanaka Showgrounds

On dark (around 9.30 pm)

Saturday 7,14 and 28 January

Friday 27 January

Gold coin donation (screenings weather dependent)

Chinese Brush Painting Workshop

Athenaeum Hall, Arrowtown

9.30am,11.45am and 2pm

Saturday 15 January

$5 (materials provided)

Suitable ages 8+