That's the confident advice from the organisers of the 56th annual festival.
The event began on Monday with the crowning of the Senior Festival Queen but the main crowd attraction will be the procession through the town this Saturday.
"The weather forecast is excellent and the grand parade is looking fantastic," event manager Martin McPherson said yesterday.
"There's a vast range of things to view in the parade, from vintage tractors through to a brass band on bikes and I've been privy to seeing one or two floats already. There's some real craftsmanship there and I don't envy those who have to judge the floats.""Softening" the entry criteria for floats and introducing new categories such as "Crazy Cars" had paid off, Mr McPherson said.
"I'm confident it will be a great parade this year, followed by a unique mix of energy and effort combining for the activities in the park."
The town was looking its best for an influx of visitors.
"The blossom trees are full out, so even Mother Nature has been nice to me this year," he said. Despite new events being added to the mix, the festival's traditional activities, such as the Central Otago Art Society exhibition, which opened last night, remained popular.
The build-up to this weekend included the "locals' favourite", the Around the Clock Race tomorrow night, followed by the Mardi Gras in Tarbert St, starting at 6pm, which would be a "boomer", Mr McPherson said.
Festival chairwoman Clair Higginson was also anticipating a spectacular parade.
"The call for a back-to-basics festival a couple of years ago, was about making it more relevant to us in Central Otago, in capturing the essence of us. That's what makes it so powerful and magnetic."
Twelve competitive floats have entered this year's parade.
Volunteers working on the Central Otago WasteBusters' float have been "flat-out" for the past three weeks, bringing together the elements of their entry, titled Dora the Explorer.
"Usually we have a recycling theme, so this is a departure for us, but it's aimed at the children and grandchildren," Ruth McNamara said.
"And Dora will be on her way to WasteBusters."
Marion Peyton said it was a "very social" task and, as the parade date drew nearer "there's anxiety mixed in with excitement."
Joan Jopson said the end result was satisfying - "when you see it going along the street on the day, and the reaction of the crowd, that makes it all worthwhile."
Feature events
Friday, Sept 21:
• Around the Clock Race 5.45pm.
• Tarbert St Mardi Gras 6-8pm.
Saturday, Sept 22:
• Grand Parade, starts 11.45am
• Saturday in the Park, from 1pm.
• Alexandra Musical Society production Rush!, opening 8pm.
Sunday, September 23:
• Thunder Sunday Drag Racing 11am-4pm.
• Garden Tour, from 10am, demonstrations by chef Nici Wickes.
Monday, September 24
• Garden Tour, from 10am, demonstrations by chef Nici Wickes.
Friday and Saturday, October 5-6:
• New Zealand Merino Shearing Championships.
Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13:
• WoolOn Creative Fashion Event, 8pm.
