Thyme is of the essence

Thyme Festival co-ordinator Kathi McLean with a scarecrow made by Clyde School pupils, entered in the festival's first scarecrow contest, organised by Enviroschools.

The festival opens tomorrow and Mrs McLean said the event would combine arts and creativity and highlight sustainable living as well as celebrating the wild thyme which covers the hills around Central Otago. Pioneer Park is the venue for most of the workshops and the displays by working artists.

''We'll be setting up a tent village and there will be all sorts of things to see and try.''

Alexandra artist Marion Vialade, Christchurch artist Ira Mitchell-Kirk, Cromwell artist Andrew Price and Omakau sculptor Dave Donnelly will all be demonstrating their talents.

The children's art exhibition in Alexandra Community House, which also opens tomorrow, would be another highlight of the week-long festival, Mrs McLean said.