Cavalcade next big thing rolling into Southland town

Recent host to the New Zealand Cheeserolling Championships, Waikaka is now preparing to stage one of the biggest parties of the year, when the 2009 Goldfields Cavalcade rides into town on the last day of this month.

Months of planning has gone into organising the gathering of horses, riders and walkers, spokeswoman Liz O'Connell said.

The town will celebrate with a gala day and hoedown.

"The marquee is ordered, ready for the party Waikaka is planning as it welcomes the arrival of 450 riders, wagons and walkers.

"The numbers will be swelled to at least twice that [by] support crew, motorhome owners and interested visitors," she said.

This will be the 17th cavalcade and only the second time it has finished in Southland.

During the week leading up to February 28, four riding trails, two wagon trails and three walking trails will set off from different points around Otago and Southland before converging for a final "ride in" at Waikaka.

Mrs O'Connell said horses, wagons and walkers, many of them in period costume, would flock into the town at "high noon."

After the parade, the entertainment programme would start, with juggler Mr Birdbrain and others confirmed to attend.

The programme continues all afternoon before the hoedown, starting at 7.30pm, completes the official welcome.

"There will be the shared camaraderie of the different trails coming together, to tell tall tales about their rides and the final judging of the trail competition."

Gore entertainers Kayla Mahon and Taylor Cairns, who formed two-thirds of the the trio which won last year's overall New Zealand Gold Guitar title, will perform at the hoedown.

Now singing as The Heartleys, they will entertain during the evening.

Mrs O'Connell said the event would be a huge occasion for the town and everyone was organised and looking forward to the big day.