Thousands of hardy revellers braved grey and thundery skies for Dunedin’s annual Vogel St Party on Saturday.
The crowd began building soon after the 3pm start, and were soon in full swing, enjoying a mix of live music and entertainment, including a silent disco in a newly developed space under the Jetty St overbridge, as well as food stalls, arts and crafts and the area’s unique street art.
The owners of some of the precinct’s impressive heritage buildings once again opened their doors to the curious and allowed them a look inside, giving people a chance to see the precinct’s progress.
One space inside 123 Vogel St was used to display lanterns from Dunedin’s Midwinter Carnival as well as aerial performers, twisting amid smoke, lighting and music, in a showcase dubbed Spring Lights.
The entry fee would help raise money for a permanent space to display the lanterns, which could become a "significant tourist attraction", event producer Paul Smith said.
One of those impressed by the lanterns was Leeann Howson, of Dunedin. She was back at the Vogel St Party for the third year running and said the lanterns were a definite highlight this time.
"It’s pretty amazing and cool ... it’s nice to see [the lanterns] in a different context," she said.
The rest of the party was a great chance to peek behind the curtains and experience a range of offerings in the space.
"I just like to come and see different things ... the revitalisation of the buildings," she said.
Caress Dittmer and Aaron Thompson, who only recently moved to Dunedin, took the chance to show off their steampunk costumes at the event.
It was the first time either had been to the party, which Miss Dittmer said was "amazing".
Mr Thompson was surprised how many people had braved the poor weather to show up.
Dunedin City Council urban design team leader Crystal Filep said the event had "a different flavour" this year — fewer old buildings were open to the public as more were redeveloped.
"Obviously the weather was unfortunate, but I was really pleased to see how people used the Jetty St space."
"It was really special to see it more or less opened like that — it was a construction site a few days prior.
"In sort of a strange way the rain was a happy accident because it helped show the potential of those spaces to be used even when the weather’s not that great in Dunedin."
