This week, the fantasy world of Alice in Wonderland is coming alive in Oamaru, the theme of the annual Victorian Heritage Celebrations marking 150 years since Alice's journey down the rabbit hole was first published in 1865.
''The whole theme is exciting really, the whole committee has had a really good time putting it together,'' Oamaru Victorian Heritage Committee's Wendy Simpson said.
For some, Victoriana is a way of life all year round, but from today until Sunday, everyone has the opportunity to enjoy an array of traditional delights in Oamaru.
An Alice in Wonderland theme was a ''more light-hearted approach'' after last year's theme explored Victorian transportation, Mrs Simpson said.
She expected it to inspire more creativity with costumes.
''I know there are people coming dressed from Through the Looking-Glass, so we've got the unicorn and the lion coming.
''One of my costumes is the Mock Turtle and I'm sure there'll be plenty of Mad Hatters and Alices.''
In the lead up to the celebrations, and continuing for the rest of the week, the Oamaru Opera House and Stones Throw Productions have produced Down the Rabbit Hole, an interactive production for school and pre-school aged children, which more than 500 children from Waitaki and Timaru are expected to have seen by the week's end as part of the Heritage Week schools programme.
Mrs Simpson hoped Oamaru residents would turn out in force to support the week's events and appreciate the effort that goes to in organising the annual event.
The Oamaru Public Gardens were a botanical expression of the town's Victorian history and a ''moving'' ballet on Friday night, performed by the Victoria Cooper Academy of Dance, would pay tribute to that, starting at the Severn St entrance and moving through to the Diaz Lawn where families could sit and enjoy an evening picnic with entertainment.
Capital! Steampunk were coming from Wellington to produce two events for the celebrations - a Twilight Snark Hunting Adventure at Brookfield estate and Wonderland Croquet at Pen-y-bryn.
''It's getting interest from outside of Oamaru, which is really, really cool,'' she said.
The Murder Mystery Dinner at Cucina 1871 was the first event to sell out and there were only limited tickets left for the Royal Ball and Houses with History tour.
For many participants, the ball was the Heritage Week's peak experience.
Next year's ''Medical'' theme has already been set, as 2016 will mark 150 years since the first ambulance went into service in the UK.
