Fete opts to return to feeling of ‘busy-ness’ for this year

Victorian Fete stall co-ordinator Alice Hore (left), Fete co-ordinator Frances McMillan, and...
Victorian Fete stall co-ordinator Alice Hore (left), Fete co-ordinator Frances McMillan, and volunteer co-ordinator Jeroen Smeets have planned a few changes to this year’s signature Oamaru event. Photo: Hamish MacLean
As fete would have it, punters like the congestion in Harbour St during the Victorian Fete.

Last year organisers of the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust fundraiser — which closes down Harbour and Tyne Sts for a street party at the end of the Victorian Heritage Celebrations in November — tinkered with the layout of stalls to ease the pressure on the narrow, one-way historic lane as up to 5000 people filled the streets.

But the feedback had been that punters liked the busy feel that came  with the packed street, fete co-ordinator Frances McMillan said.

"It’s a buzz — you don’t get this type of busy-ness in Oamaru very often.

"It doesn’t feel like a small town. The fete is very special; it’s hard to explain why people like the fete so much. And I think the busy-ness is part of that," she said.

However, this year, one of the day’s signature events — the World Stone Sawing Championships — would move to the lower end of Tyne St, away from the Criterion Hotel where it was typically held. Waitaki District Council intern, volunteer co-ordinator Jeroen Smeets, had already recruited four fellow Netherlander student interns, but would require 20 on the day.

This year  the fete hit capacity for stall-holders by the end of winter — earlier than previously, Ms McMillan said.

Fete stall co-ordinator Alice Hore said the demand for space at this year’s Fete Day had been "huge".

Among the 90-plus stall-holders at this year’s fete, locals Craftwork Brewery, Tutu Hill Cakes and Gifts,  and award-winning Oamaru hyperrealist painter Luzette Crossan, who would paint children’s faces, would be stand-outs.

hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz

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