The leaves are turning in Arrowtown, setting the perfect scene for the annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival, which officially begins next Friday.
Organiser Deborah Husheer said along with the traditional events, several new attractions were planned, including two opportunities to see New Zealand baker Jo Seager in action.
High Tea with Jo Seager was expected to be a sell-out event, at Millbrook on April 22.
Mrs Husheer said the afternoon would see guests enjoy tasty treats, including sandwiches and sweets, while being able to talk to Ms Seager and ask her questions.
Food would be served from "vintage china", she said.
"Even though it's a high tea ... it's going to be informal.
"Jo will have a little chat and go around and talk to people."
That night she will be at the Athenaeum Hall for Autumnal Entertaining; "great ideas for warming food for the winter".
"Her philosophy is minimal effort for a maximum effect.
"We're expecting that to be a sell-out".
Also on the programme this year was the '70s Disco Night - another event expected to sell out.
Mrs Husheer said last year the programme featured an '80s night and it was so successful the organisers thought they would hold it again, this time going back another decade.
"We thought the theme would be just as popular.
"It's being run by the Arrowtown Scouts to raise money for their jamboree.
"There will also be surprise acts up there from local people, and a DJ.
"We want people to get dressed up in their platforms and flares and boogie on down."
Another new event was the MacTodd Art 2 Wear - a wearable arts show being held on April 23 at the Athenaeum Hall.
The event had been "really well received" by the community, with a lot of entries from local businesses in the four categories - autumnal, kiwiana, rags to riches and garden party.
The overall winner would receive $1000, second place $500, and third $250, with a people's choice award as well.
However, it was the Autumn Festival Masquerade Ball which was expected to be the highlight of the 2010 event, for the first time being sponsored by Allan Hamilton Wines.
Organiser Ann Mann said a night of old school Venetian glamour, frivolity and light-hearted deception was on the cards, with a Venetian twist to the menu including canapes, a candlelit buffet and petit four desserts.
Feathers, chandeliers, gilded frames, candelabras with crystal drops and masks galore would add to the opulent atmosphere the company was hoping to create in the hall, Mrs Mann said.
"The hall is one of our favourite venues for the many weddings and social occasions we cater for there - it has a special warmth and intimacy second to none."
Allan Hamilton said he had owned the Ramshaw Lane shop since 1994 and in 2009 purchased The Tap and decided it was time to lend some support to Arrowtown's community festival.
"We thought it was probably our time to do something.
"It's just a wonderful community [festival] and it's sort of the highlight for the Autumn Festival.
"We'd encourage everyone to come along and get into the spirit," Mr Hamilton said.
• The Arrowtown Autumn Festival begins on April 16 and concludes on April 25.
~ 2010 ARROWTOWN AUTUMN FESTIVAL PROGRAMME ~
Friday, April 16
- 7.30pm: Lakes District Museum art exhibition opening, $5 entry, Lakes District Museum
Saturday, April 17
- 9.30am-11am: The Golden Times Vintage Car Display and Rally, Butlers Green
- 10am: Mitsubishi Electric market at Village Green
- 10am: Festival ticket and information booth, outside the Arrowtown Library
- 10am-1pm: Bikes 4 Fun, Buckingham St (gold coin donation - proceeds to Child Cancer)
- 10.30am: Sir R.Wolley's Street Theatre, Buckingham St
- 11am-1pm: Gold panning, Buckingham St
- 11am-3pm: Lodge Arrow Kilwinning No 86 open day, Wiltshire St
- 11am-noon: Timaru Dixieland Jazz Band, Buckingham Green
- 12.15pm-12.45pm: Live entertainment, Buckingham Green
- 12.50pm-1.50pm: The Heartleys, Buckingham Green
- 1.50pm: Jag Air flyover
- 2pm: Festival street parade, Buckingham St
- 3pm-4pm: Timaru Dixieland Jazz Band, Buckingham Green
- 7.30pm: '70s disco inferno, $25 per person for tables of 10, singles $30, Athenaeum Hall.
Sunday, April 18
- 10am-noon: The Golden Times Vintage Car Display and Rally, Butlers Green
- 10am-4pm: Mind, Body and Soul Expo, $3 entry, children under 12 free, Athenaeum Hall
- 10am: Arrow Ambles, meet at the Lakes District Museum
- 10.30am: Combined Church Autumn Festival Service, Buckingham Green (Arrowtown School Hall if wet)
- 11am-3pm: Lodge Arrow Kilwinning No 86 open day, Wiltshire St
- Noon-2pm: Jazz at the Royal Oak, Royal Oak Courtyard
- 1pm: Shotover Country Music Club Concert, Buckingham Green
- 1pm: Fat Tyre Mountain Bike Treasure Hunt, gold coin donation, meet at Butlers Green
- 2pm: Company on Parade, $15, Athenaeum Hall
- 3.30pm-5pm: Kids' Cooking Classes - Make a Meal, $5, Arrowtown School Hall
- 7.30pm: Company on Parade, $15, Athenaeum Hall.
Monday, April 19
- 10am: Arrow Ambles, meet at the Lakes District Museum
- 11am-noon: Going for Gold, $5, Dorothy Brown's Cinema
- Noon-1pm: Street Entertainment, Buckingham Green
- 3.30pm-5pm: Kids' Cooking Classes - Make a Meal, $5, Arrowtown School Hall
- 7.30pm: Arrowtown School PTA Autumn Festival Quiz, $20 for a team of four, Fox's Bar
- 7.30pm: Company on Parade, $15, Athenaeum Hall.
Tuesday, April 20
- 10am: Arrow Ambles, meet at the Lakes District Museum
- 11am-3pm: Lodge Arrow Kilwinning No 86 open day, Wiltshire St
- Noon-1pm: Street Entertainment, Buckingham Green
- 1.30pm-3pm: Senior Citizens' Afternoon Tea, tickets free from Lakes District Museum (tickets essential), Athenaeum Hall
- 7.30pm: Guy Cater's Ultimate Comedy Show, $15, Athenaeum Hall.
Wednesday, April 21
- 10am: Arrow Ambles, meet at the Lakes District Museum
- 11am-noon: Going for Gold, $5, Dorothy Brown's Cinema
- Noon-1pm: Street Entertainment, Buckingham Green
- 1pm: Arrowtown Bowling Club, Peregrine Winery Half Day Tournament, to enter contact John Polson (03 442 1102)
- 2pm: Wild Rubbish, meet at the back of the Lakes District Museum
- 3.30pm-5pm: Bikes 4 Fun Workshop - learn to ride a unicycle, contact Jean (03 409 8783) to book, Arrowtown School playground
- 8pm: Shotover Country Music Club presents An Autumn Night in Arrowtown, $25, Athenaeum Hall
Thursday, April 22
- 10am: Arrow Ambles, meet at the Lakes District Museum
- 11am-noon: Going for Gold, $5, Dorothy Brown's Cinema
- Noon-1pm: Street Entertainment, Buckingham Green
- 3pm-4.30pm: High Tea with Jo Seager, $20, Millbrook Resort
- 7.30pm: Autumnal Entertaining with Jo Seager, $20, Athenaeum Hall
Friday, April 23
- 9.30am: Arrowtown Bowling Club Mixed Tournament, $10pp, contact Bruce Teasdale (03 442 1057 or email bruce.eleanor@ihug.co.nz to enter)
- 10am: Arrow Ambles, meet at the Lakes District Museum
- 11am-3pm: Lodge Arrow Kilwinning No 86 open day, Wiltshire St
- Noon-1pm: Street Entertainment, Buckingham Green
- 5.30pm: School Disco, $3, Arrowtown School Hall
- 7.30pm: MacTodd Art 2 Wear Show, $30, Athenaeum Hall
Saturday, April 24
- 10am-3pm: Central Lakes Trust Community Harvest Picnic, Butlers Green
- Noon-3pm: Alta Skateboard Workshop, Arrowtown Skate Park
- 7.30pm: Allan Hamilton Wines Masquerade Ball, $60 pp for tables of 10, singles $65, Athenaeum Hall
Sunday, April 25
- 10.30am: Anzac Day Commemorations, starts at Athenaeum Hall1pm: Arrowtown Golf Club Festival Tournament, $30 per team, Arrowtown Golf Club, contact John (03 442 1719) to enter
- 1pm-3pm: The Edge & Alta Skate Jam, Arrowtown Skate Park
- 7.30pm: The Great Arrowtown Variety Concert - This Is It, $12, Athenaeum Hall
• For full details of events and more information on the Arrowtown Autumn Festival visit www.arrowtownautumnfestival.org.nz
