‘No big public event’ for Otago Anniversary Day

A ''Dunedin Sound'' Evening will be held at the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. Photo: ODT
The Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. Photo: ODT
The Dunedin City Council has no big plans for the 175th Otago Anniversary Day celebrations.

It has been almost 175 years since John Wickliffe arrived in Dunedin, carrying the first Scottish migrants.

Every year the occasion is marked on March 23, Otago Anniversary Day.

However, this year there will be little public celebration of the milestone.

A Dunedin City Council spokesman said there would be "no big public event, just the public holiday for everyone to enjoy".

There would be a programme of events held at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, including a talk and free screenings of its new documentary Journey to New Edinburgh.

A range of celebrations were held for the 150th celebrations, including a 26 minute $100,000 firework display off Portsmouth Dr.

The fireworks were so powerful police received about five reports of explosions rattling windows and ambulances were called for two viewers who fainted during the display.

A parade down George St featured more than 700 vehicles, 200 horses and 60 walkers in a cavalcade procession.

Spectators lined up along 5km of road from the intersection of Albany and George Sts to Forbury Park.

It included vintage and moderns cars, motorcycles, and steam engines.

Sukhi Turner, mayor of Dunedin at the time, officially opened the weekend events and said it was one of the most important events in history of Otago and Southland.

 

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