It may be dry, but that is no reason to be down, according to a small group of Kurow women who have put together ''The Thirst Quencher'' on February 15 for struggling North Otago and South Canterbury farmers.
The event may also include a mass rain dance, in the hope of breaking the region's dry spell.
It is being organised by the Waitaki Wags, who also put on the ''Bridging the Waitaki Waters'' community celebration for the opening of the new twin bridges between Kurow and Hakataramea.
''There's no denying it's dry - and our South Canterbury and North Otago farmers are feeling it,'' one of the organisers, Elizabeth Hayes, said on Friday.
The idea of some form of community event because of the dry conditions was put forward last week by the group, so people would know they were not alone.
The aim was to bring both rural communities together at a central point - Kurow - and encourage farmers and families to leave their worries at the door.
''What better excuse than to shout them a beer, barbecue and music?
''Let's face it, a problem shared is a problem halved.''
Since then the idea has snowballed and attracted ''an amazing response'' in a short time from businesses who have weighed in to help pay for it.
The event will be held at the Kurow Hotel, which has a capacity of 350 to 400. It will be an afternoon and evening of free entertainment, food and refreshments.
Singer Bex Murray and the No Reason Band will provide the entertainment while the barbecue is serving up the food.
Mrs Hayes said Marlborough farmer and motivational speaker Doug Avery ''will say a few words'', then mingle with the crowd.
Mr Avery, with his family, manages Bonavaree Farm, at Grassmere, which has been owned by the family since 1919.
In 1998, successive droughts had the family unsure of the future and management was changed to cope better with dry spells.
