Preperations are gathering pace for November's Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations.
This year's theme, "A year to reflect on the intriguing world of medicine'', offers plenty of scope for new events, characters and costumes.
Medicine was a field of knowledge that expanded rapidly in Victorian times, but there were still many eye-wateringly excruciating and unlikely "remedies'' for everything from hysteria to hydatids.
Tourism Waitaki events co-ordinator Brooke Kofoed said the programme of activities was coming together.
Yesterday was the deadline for contributors to get details to her, so the programme could be printed by early September.
That, in turn, would allow people to read about the possibilities on offer and make their travel plans and bookings.
Each year, visitors arrived from all over New Zealand and even overseas.
A contingent from Christchurch's Ferrymead heritage park makes an annual pilgrimage, along with penny-farthing riders from Hawke's Bay.
Mrs Kofoed said the favourite events from previous years would be on again, including the Victorian ball, garden party, street parade, penny-farthing races, Elevenses with Mrs Beeton and competitions for the best-dressed people and shop windows.
The celebrations culminate in the Victorian Fete on Sunday, November 20.
- Oamaru Mail
