Willowridge Wanakafest ready to launch
Monday 15 October 2012, 10:29AM
By Wanakafest
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The countdown has begun for the Willowridge Wanakafest, a four-day programme of fashion, movies, music, entertainment, sporting events, wine and food on 18-21 October in Lake Wanaka.
Kicking off the festival on Thursday night is the popular Passion for Fashion; local ladies take to the catwalk showcasing Wanaka styles, invitational designers and retail stores.
Friday morning the streets of downtown Wanaka will come alive for the Calder Stewart Roofingsmiths Street Parade. Colourful floats, costumes and lively performances from local organisations for the procession through town. The entertainment moves to Pembroke Park for the classic Crate Stacking competition and live family entertainment on the Base Main Stage.
Festival goers can discover the best of the region’s fresh local produce straight from the land with delicious gourmet cuisine and fine wines on Saturday for the Lake Wanaka Wine & Food Fest. Local musicians and headline act Anna Coddington will provide entertainment for those who wish to sit back, relax and take in the spectacular scenery.
Also on offer are five food and wine master classes with some of the region’s leading producers as well as Masterchef’s Jax Hamilton’s cooking demo. The Wanaka Winos session is the 101 to wine tasting, a New Zealand craft beer industry talk and a wine matching presentation.
For some sporting action the Urban Downhill provides a thrill as mountain bikers race down a challenging downtown course on Saturday or there’s the Wanaka 10hr race on Sunday, mountain biking the purpose built 11km track on Deans Bank, entries are still open for both events.
Sunday Funday’s entertainment includes the festival favourites with the Rotary Duck Race, the Radio Wanaka Quest Polar Plunge as the brave splash in to the chilling waters of Lake Wanaka, and the fun Cardboard Boat Race. There is plenty more delicious food and wine being served throughout the day and live entertainment on Pembroke Park.
For further information, visit www.wanakafest.co.nz