Wakatipu residents will be among the first in the world to mark Earth Hour 2010 on March 27, when cities, towns and districts across the world turn off their lights for an hour.
Earth Hour, scheduled for 8.30pm to 9.30pm, is a call for every individual, government and business to play a part in ensuring a sustainable future.
New Zealand will be the first time zone in the world to celebrate Earth Hour, with over 40 regions and districts, including that of the Queenstown Lakes District Council, so far pledging to mark the need for personal climate change action.
QLDC arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell said a free community event on March 27 would be held at Earnslaw Park, with reduced street lighting.
Local musicians would perform on acoustic guitars, plus there would be fire-dancing, a sausage sizzle and giveaways.
There would be a Twilight Cinema from 9.30pm, with an outdoor screening of The Age of Stupid, a quirky and entertaining documentary about climate change, starring Pete Postlethwaite.
Applications were invited from groups wanting to run information stalls at the event.
Other residents were encouraged to turn off lights and unnecessary appliances during Earth Hour.
Visit www.earthhour.org.nz for more information on it.
To apply for an information stall, contact Jan Maxwell, janm@qldc.govt.nz, or telephone (03) 441-0469.
