Festival organisers have secured Kiwi singer-songwriter Dave Dobbyn as the main act for its free outdoor launch party on June 21.
The Dobbyn coup comes after last year's opening consisted of a variety show of local entertainers and musicians playing covers. Festival manager Lisa Buckingham said Dobbyn would play Kiwi favourite Slice of Heaven with guests at the Earnslaw Park concert before the festival's traditional fireworks display at 7pm.
After the fireworks he would take an anticipated crowd of thousands through his extensive hit list, including classics like Loyal and Whaling.
Dobbyn said the festival gig would be his first live act in the resort in many years.
Comedians Urzila Carlson and Paul Ego will MC opening night in Earnslaw Park. The pair are among a top line-up for the festival's comedy gala which has already sold out.
Tickets went on sale this week for festival events, which include a glitzy ball, charity amateur boxing extravaganza Thriller in the Chiller and zany community events on the ski slopes and in town, such as the Birdman, an icy plunge into Lake Wakatipu.
The 10-day festival - heralding the opening of the winter season in the Wakatipu - draws an estimated 45,000 visitors to the region, injecting $57 million into the economy.
- Ryan Keen and Celia Crosbie.
