Crowds at Earnslaw Park will tomorrow be treated to one of the annual highlights of the Queenstown Winter Festival, when otherwise reserved businessmen don high heels, short skirts and false eyelashes to compete for glory in the drag race.
Thirteen men have been invited to compete in this year's competitive high-speed dash around the Earnslaw Park obstacle course requiring them to hurdle hay bales and slide under obstacles.
In addition to competing for the title of Drag Queen 2013, the ladettes will vie for the titles of Miss Photogenic, Miss Friendly, Miss Personality and Miss Best Dressed.
Before the race, due to start just after 1pm, 10 teams of three will compete in the hospitality relay race around the park.
A porter will carry a suitcase around the course, a housekeeper will make a bed and a bar person will carry a tray of drinks to the finish line.
The cup and cake competition will challenge people to carry a boxed cupcake on a spatula around an obstacle course before eating the cake from the clean box at the finish line. Categories for the competition are ages 5-10, 11-16 and adult.
On Thursday, the festival action moves to Coronet Peak for every man, woman and their dog's favourite day out.
In the dog derby, starting at noon, high-country farmers - and their domestic neighbours - will race from the top of Coronet Peak to the base building, with their faithful hounds in tow.
Following the mountain event, competitors head to Earnslaw Park for the annual dog barking contest, vying for the loudest mutt of the mob, beginning at 3pm.
Prizes included the best bark, best dressed dog and a special award for ''no bark''.
One of the highlights of the festival calendar on Friday will be the dodgeball championship, beginning at noon at Earnslaw Park, while others can enjoy drive-in movies at Remarkables Park.
Eight Below will screen at the Red Barn from 5.30pm, and Cool Runnings from 8.30pm, at $20 per car.
Those looking for some action can take in the on-ice battle between the Southern Stampede and Botany Swarm, in the first game of a doubleheader at 7pm at the Queenstown Ice Arena.
Saturday's events include the Mountain Mayhem at Coronet Peak, featuring the dash for cash, suitcase race, musical chairs and snow scramble.
Later in the evening, Queenstown residents and visitors can watch locals go toe-to-toe in the ring at the Thriller in the Chiller charity boxing tournament at the Queenstown Events Centre.
The 2013 festival closes on Sunday with the big snow dig from noon at the Remarkables Park Town Centre, before the community carnival on the streets of Queenstown from 4pm-7pm.
