Oamaru resident Oliver Briggs puffs on an old-fashioned
pipe as part of his art deco-inspired ensemble at the 10th
annual Rural Art Deco Maniototo Festival in Ranfurly on
Saturday.
Organisers of Ranfurly's Rural Art Deco Maniototo
Festival believe a record crowd attended the 10th annual event
at the weekend.
Numbers have yet to be tallied, but thousands of people are
believed to have enjoyed festivities on offer throughout the
three-day occasion.
Organising committee member Amie Pont said she and other
volunteers were thrilled with the turnout, as well as
Ranfurly's warm weather.
"I think it's the biggest festival we've had," she said.
People from throughout the country attended the festival,
along with participants and supporters of the annual Otago
Central Rail Trail Duathlon, which passed through Maniototo
on Saturday.
On Friday evening, almost 200 people bought tickets to a
cabaret in the Manitoto Stadium, where they dressed to
impress from the Art Deco era and danced to numbers from the
1920 to 1940s.
Ranfurly's main streets were closed to traffic on Saturday
for a full programme of activities, competitions, market
stalls, food, and entertainment.
The Maniototo Highland Pipe Band led a procession through the
town from 1.30pm.
It included vintage vehicles, women in period costume pushing
old prams, street entertainers and Austin Powers.
An Art Deco fashion parade and competition was staged at the
old railway station, high tea was served at the Ranfurly
Hotel, and singer Suzanne Prentice took to the stage at the
Ranfurly town hall.
Children enjoyed live magic shows, an egg-and-spoon race, and
plenty of food from vendors.
While some people shopped at market stalls and art deco
retail outlets, others enjoyed a drink outside the Ranfurly
Hotel, where they could see events unfold.
Many donned clothing and accessories from the Art Deco era,
making the most of parasols, fans, and hats to shade
themselves from the sun.
Inside some of Ranfurly's art deco buildings, an art
exhibition titled "Maniototo" was held and a collection of
domestic items, clothing, jewellery, and other memorabilia
from the art deco period was displayed.
Yesterday, a barbecue lunch was served to acknowledge all who
had dedicated their time, energy, and money to the festival
since its inception.
Stalls, music, and exhibitions were also on offer yesterday -
for the first time in the festival's history.
rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
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