First, all eyes turned skywards to watch a dazzling aerobatic display by Actionflite.
Then, festival stalwart Geoff Clear, vintage car rally organiser Alan Sutton and More FM breakfast host Alan Davis had the audience chuckling with their banter as they heralded each of the 37 entries in the silver jubilee parade.
The Arrow Entertainers, in period costume, led the floats.
More than 50 classic automobiles gleamed in convoy, followed by the Queenstown and Southern Lakes Highland Pipe Band's pomp and ceremony.
Arrowtown's multinational population was celebrated with representatives of many countries wearing their national dress and waving from the "It's A Small World" float.
The commentators noted there were about 915 permanent residents in Arrowtown when the festival began 25 years ago and there were about 1800 today, yet the community spirit remained intact.
Costumed actors from Showbiz Queenstown's forthcoming production of Les Miserables trod the tarmac instead of the boards, handing out promotional flyers for the May season.
It would not have been a parade without the Arrow Miners Band, which entertained the throng with old-time music on their truck, "Old Red".
Spectators, including families with young children, packed the village green for the market.
The air was filled with a multitude of accents, warm greetings to friends and neighbours, live music and the aroma of food sizzling on barbecues.
The market attracted more than 100 stalls and was a major fundraiser for many community groups, including the Wakatipu Anglican Parish.
Stallholders Trish Hamilton and Michelle Arona said the home-baked goods were bestsellers, many customers knowing who made what and snapping up treats accordingly.
Hundreds poured into the Arrowtown Masonic Lodge to see the lodge's restored motifs.
Worshipful brother and past master Graeme Wilson said visitors remarked on how wonderful it was to see the room as it used to be more than 60 years ago.
"It's been surprising to find out the number of people who have family connections with the masons . . . One lady's father was at the original opening of this lodge and had never been in the lodge room in her life."
The festivities continued into the night, with about 130 partying at the "Stars of the Silver Screen"themed Autumn Ball.
Revellers wore their most glamorous gowns or suits, or dressed as their favourite movie stars, while sipping champagne, sampling the gourmet banquet and dancing to Suzie and the Slicktones.
Stacey McTaggart was named Belle of the Ball and her pals won the best dressed table.
