Festival weekend a blast from the past

Oamaru resident Oliver Briggs puffs on an old-fashioned pipe as part of his art deco-inspired...
Oamaru resident Oliver Briggs puffs on an old-fashioned pipe as part of his art deco-inspired ensemble at the 10th annual Rural Art Deco Maniototo Festival in Ranfurly on Saturday.
Organisers of Ranfurly's Rural Art Deco Maniototo Festival believe a record crowd attended the 10th annual event at the weekend.

Numbers have yet to be tallied, but thousands of people are believed to have enjoyed festivities on offer throughout the three-day occasion.

Organising committee member Amie Pont said she and other volunteers were thrilled with the turnout, as well as Ranfurly's warm weather.

"I think it's the biggest festival we've had," she said.

People from throughout the country attended the festival, along with participants and supporters of the annual Otago Central Rail Trail Duathlon, which passed through Maniototo on Saturday.

On Friday evening, almost 200 people bought tickets to a cabaret in the Manitoto Stadium, where they dressed to impress from the Art Deco era and danced to numbers from the 1920 to 1940s.

Ranfurly's main streets were closed to traffic on Saturday for a full programme of activities, competitions, market stalls, food, and entertainment.

The Maniototo Highland Pipe Band led a procession through the town from 1.30pm.

It included vintage vehicles, women in period costume pushing old prams, street entertainers and Austin Powers.

An Art Deco fashion parade and competition was staged at the old railway station, high tea was served at the Ranfurly Hotel, and singer Suzanne Prentice took to the stage at the Ranfurly town hall.

Children enjoyed live magic shows, an egg-and-spoon race, and plenty of food from vendors.

While some people shopped at market stalls and art deco retail outlets, others enjoyed a drink outside the Ranfurly Hotel, where they could see events unfold.

Many donned clothing and accessories from the Art Deco era, making the most of parasols, fans, and hats to shade themselves from the sun.

Inside some of Ranfurly's art deco buildings, an art exhibition titled "Maniototo" was held and a collection of domestic items, clothing, jewellery, and other memorabilia from the art deco period was displayed.

Yesterday, a barbecue lunch was served to acknowledge all who had dedicated their time, energy, and money to the festival since its inception.

Stalls, music, and exhibitions were also on offer yesterday - for the first time in the festival's history.

rosie.manins@odt.co.nz

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