Double, double toil and trouble - young Dunedin wizards and witches are working together to attract children to a spellbinding ride on the Otago Daily Times Enchanted Express.
The train ride, from Dunedin to Hindon and back, is one of the main features of the inaugural Enchanted Dunedin Festival which is run by Allied Press, to be held during the July school holidays which start on Saturday.
Festival director and Allied Press Marketing Consultant Chelsea Hamilton said the trip was not just for children.
Adults were also encouraged to board the train in costume and enjoy entertainment by improv actors, a magician, and ''a few other surprises''.
''We're welcoming all witches, wizards and warlocks on board.
''It's going to be full of magical surprises and some magical treats as well.''
Mrs Hamilton said the festival was designed to fill the void left in Dunedin by the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival.
The festival contains a range of tours, culinary delights and wild experiences.
Among the enchanting events this year is a teddy bears' picnic at Larnach Castle (July 18), a winter ball (July 19), storytime aboard Monarch (July 7) and the Big Science Show (July 6 and 7) which investigates the world's ''coolest'' scientists and their discoveries, as part of a stage show with science demonstrations.
The festival has about 20 events and it was hoped it would continue to grow over time, she said.
It aimed to banish the grey and the dreary, and give residents an opportunity to experience the ''vibrant fabric'' of Dunedin, she said.
