Arrowtown's golden celebrations have received a boost, with 39 community groups applying for funding for the Gold 150 anniversary event next year.
Co-ordinator Julie Hughes, of Arrowtown, said the response had been overwhelming and from a wide variety of groups.
The Central Lakes Trust has approved grants so far to the Alexandra Musical Society ($10,000), Cavalcade Host Town Committee ($25,000), Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust ($35,134) and Promote Dunstan ($44,000).
The trust set up a special funding round for the 150th and approved funding of $200,000 to help support projects that celebrate the discovery of gold in the region.
Mrs Hughes said the entire community would come together for a "wonderful" atmosphere.
"It creates a fantastic focus ... it connects people".
The funding would go toward festivities that included plaque unveilings, market days and re-enactments.
Mrs Hughes would be releasing four separate calendars that would outline the events of the celebration.