WoolOn Creative Fashion Event returns to The Canyon at Tarras Vineyard this weekend.
Chairman Nigel Wilson said this year was about re-establishing the event to get it up and running again, but without any major differences.
The 2022 event was cancelled because of Covid-19, halting any forward progress made following a successful 2021 show.
That really kneecapped it, Mr Wilson said.
He hoped this year the event could build back bigger and better.
"That’s the intention to grow it after this year, build on the success of it.
"We intend to get a bigger venue and grow it," Mr Wilson said.
Funding had been secured for this year’s event, something that had been an issue in previous years.
Community funding boards had really come in behind to support the event, Mr Wilson said.
Having "very dedicated professional committee members" working to secure sponsorship and funding had also played a part.
"It’s all worked very well."
Mr Wilson said he hoped the event would expand, eventually returning to its Alexandra roots.
The event moved outside of its birthplace in 2020 after it was no longer able to secure an appropriately sized venue.
"Next year we’ll bring it back to Alexandra ... to just grow it after this year."
Expanding the annual event would make it one of the keystone events in the region, Mr Wilson said.
He was keen to get some more of the industry on board and turn the event into an expo.
WoolOn will be held at The Canyon at Tarras, this Friday and Saturday.
The WoolOn Community Expo will be held in Alexandra on August 13.
Tickets are available from woolon.co.nz
