Arrowtown is buzzing with anticipation as 1400 volunteers work feverishly to co-ordinate the 80 events that begin today, including a children's bicycle making workshop, a screening of festival history documentary Going For Gold, the opening of the festival art exhibition in the Lakes District Museum, street entertainment, fashion shows, sports tournaments, artists' market, cooking classes, guided walks, quizzes, concerts, an 1980s-themed party, vintage car display and a senior citizens' afternoon tea.
Tomorrow night's Autumn Ball has "Stars of the Silver Screen" as its theme.
The Rilean Construction-sponsored ticketed event will see partygoers dressed as their favourite movie stars, enjoy a gourmet banquet and dance to Suzie and the Slicktones.
New events this year include two shows of Brides Through The Ages, where 40 women wear vintage and modern wedding gowns on the catwalk to period music.
The Arrow Entertainers, a 30-strong troupe of singers and actors, return for the musical comedy Good Lord It's Amy Bock! on Sunday and Tuesday, Kiwi Kitchen presenter Richard Till cooks up a storm on Thursday and the Arrowtown School will throw open the doors of its hall for a community pot-luck on Sunday from 5.30pm.
Festival co-ordinator Julie Hughes said she anticipated that 8000 people would attend the festival at its peak, a figure that was on par with last year.
Organisers have again managed to keep ticket prices unchanged - for the sixth consecutive year.
"We're very lucky we have the support of local businesses who enable us to make 75% of our events free.
"Newcomers will be amazed at the number of people working to make it happen and... they'll feel like they're a part of it, rather than outsiders looking in."
Arrowtown Autumn Festival programme
Today, festival opening
10am-noon: Bikes for fun workshop, $35 per child
Noon-1pm: Going for Gold, Dorothy Browns Cinema, $5
7.30pm: 25th Arrowtown Autumn Festival Art Exhibition opening, Lakes District Museum, $5
Tomorrow
From 10am: Market, village green
10am-11am: Vintage car display, Buckingham St
10am-1pm: Fun on Bikes, Buckingham St, gold coin donation
From 10.30am: The Chris Devious Show, Buckingham St
From 10.30am: Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Brigade, cnr Buckingham and Wiltshire streets
11am-1pm: Gold panning Buckingham St, free11am-1pm: Hula-hooping, Buckingham St, free
11am-3pm: Lodge Arrow Kilwinning No 86, 130 year old Masonic Lodge in Wiltshire St open, free
Buckingham Stage Entertainment
11am-12pm: Timaru Dixieland Jazz Band
12.15pm-12.45pm: Arrowtown Fashion Show
12.50pm-1.50pm: Suzie and the Slicktones
1.50pm: Actionflite flyover
2pm: Official opening of 25th anniversary festival, Buckingham St. Followed by street parade
5.30pm: Scottish Country Dance Tartan Night, Arrowtown School Hall, Hood Cres, $5, tickets at the door.
7.30pm: Stars of the Silver Screen Anniversary Ball. Tickets, tables of 10 or more, $60; single $65, from Lakes District Museum
Sunday April, 19
10am-4pm: Mind, Body and Soul Expo, Athenaeum Hall, $3, children under 12 free
10am: Arrow Ambles, meet at the museum, free
10am: Feehly Hill clean up, meet at the back of new Arrowtown Cemetery.
10.30am: Combined Church autumn festival service, Buckingham Green (Arrowtown School Hall if wet).
11am-3pm: Lodge Arrow Kilwinning No 86, Masonic Lodge in Wiltshire St, open to the public.
11am-2pm: Laser clay shooting, Butlers Green, $10.
11.30am - 1.30pm: Bike for Fun, Arrowtown School, gold coin donation
1pm: Arrowtown Golf Club festival tournament, $30 per team
1pm: Shotover Country Music Club concert, Buckingham Green, free.
2pm: Jazz at the Oak, The Oak Courtyard, Buckingham St5.30pm-7.30pm: Community pot luck tea, Arrowtown School Hall.
8pm: Good Lord it's Amy Bock, Athenaeum Hall, $10.
Monday, April 20
10am: Arrow Ambles, meet at the Museum
11am-2pm: Bridal Expo, Athenaeum Hall, free
Noon-1pm: Free street entertainment, Buckingham Green, free
Noon-3pm: Skateboard workshop, Arrowtown Skate Park, free
1.30pm: Brides Through the Ages, family show, Athenaeum Hall, $8 adults, kids (12 years and under) gold coin donation.
7.30pm: Brides Through the Ages, silver wedding anniversary bridal show, Athenaeum Hall, $20.
