Steampunk flavour to daffodil celebration

Kim "Dusty" Murtagh
Kim "Dusty" Murtagh
Daffodils and steampunk are coming together in Lawrence tomorrow.

The former Black Horse Brewery site at Wetherstons near Lawrence will host "Steampunk Dayze". Participants can take part by creating a steampunk character and signing up on the day to join the parade, or by designing a steampunk daffodil sculpture. The winning sculpture design will be made and displayed on site.

Beer tasting, girdle scones and hot potatoes will be on offer while cancan girls, a magician and the Wenches of Wetherstons will provide entertainment.

Steampunk Dayze is the central event of Daffodil Dayze - which runs each year during spring, from September 1 to November 30. It showcases the ruins of Otago's most successful provincial brewery and features walks and rare plant species.

Organiser Kim "Dusty" Murtagh said the 10ha field of daffodils at the former Black Horse Brewery site at Wetherstons was first planted 117 years ago. In its heyday in the 1930s it attracted thousands of visitors.

Over the years, the varieties cross-pollinated to provide a rare display.

She said blackberry and broom had been cleared from the main field, and permanent interpretation panels were in place around the site giving visitors a chance to explore the "history, myth and magic" that resided there.

About 77 delegates from the World Daffodil Convention are visiting. Ms Murtagh said she was proud they would be attending Steampunk Dayze at Wetherstons.

"Whoever thought that I would be so excited about daffodils? But that is their magic. It is people's reaction to the site that inspires our passion and this event truly is everything we have been working towards over the last eight years."

She said the daffodils would be at their best tomorrow as they did not flower early as most of the daffodils around the country did.

The site is open each day from 10am to 5pm. After paying an entry fee, visitors can walk through fields of daffodils and the brewery ruins.

- helena.dereus@odt.co.nz

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