Party time, South American style

Queenstown's first festival celebrating South American culture will be held at Earnslaw Park this month

The festival will give Queenstown a taste of Rio de Janiero's Carnival with music, dancing and food stalls.

Queenstown woman Nadia Hughes applied to the Queenstown Lakes District Council to hold an annual Southern American festival for five years "to show culture of South American countries".

She had wanted to hold a party on Queenstown Bay beach but it had to be moved to Earnslaw Park because it overlapped with the Marine Parade upgrade works.

She said she was happy with the new venue, which was in the centre of town and had have enough room for a stage.

A Brazilian band would play South American music and South American food would be available from stalls.

"As we all know, we have quite a number of South Americans living with us in Queenstown and the proposal is to introduce [a] little bit of their culture to town," she said.

The festival would help South Americans living in Queenstown feel more at home.

"Everybody, of course, will be involved in this party as, from experience, when the rhythm of South America starts playing, nobody can just stand and watch without moving."

She hoped to expand the festival next year to include a parade featuring bongo drummers and dancers if she could secure sponsorship.

She said Lakes Environmental, Lakes Property Services and the council had waived application fees for consents to hold the event.

Ms Hughes, of the Czech Republic, has lived in Queenstown for nine years.

"I have lots of Brazilian friends in Queenstown who introduced me to the culture. It's such an amazing culture we should learn more about. I love the music. South American people have a lot to show."

The festival will be held on March 12 from 6pm-9.30pm at Earnslaw Park.

South American music and dancing will continue at Revolver until late.