Meating of the minds at festival event

Fireworks paint the sky over Queenstown as the Winter Festival party continues last night. Photo:...
Fireworks paint the sky over Queenstown as the Winter Festival party continues last night. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery.
Queenstown Winter Festival shenanigans had a meaty flavour yesterday.

A big crowd packed Queenstown Mall to see the Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence, Downtown QT general manager Steve Wilde, real estate agent Brendan "Quilly" Quill and former Ice Blacks captain Simon Glass scull a beer and scoff a platter of meat as part of the Great Coalfire Rib Eating Race.

Despite trying to lose, Mr Glass managed to qualify for the second round.

"That wasn’t my game plan. I was stealing ribs off Quilly’s plate and putting them on mine so I wouldn’t make it through," he said, laughing.

Deputy prime minister Paula Bennett talks tourism as she addresses the NZSki Business Lunch....
Deputy prime minister Paula Bennett talks tourism as she addresses the NZSki Business Lunch. Photo: Still Vision Photography.
Other festivities included the Dodgeball Championships held on Queenstown Bay and a photography workshop. Yesterday’s programme  opened with the annual business lunch.  Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, who also holds the tourism portfolio, was guest speaker. Fallen Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay was missing from proceedings.

In his opening remarks, Destination Queenstown chief executive Graham Budd noted his absence. While he acknowledged the hard work of the local representative  he also made some jibes at his expense. During her speech, Ms Bennett described politics as a brutal business but paid tribute to Mr Barclay’s "incredible hard work". 

She told the Otago Daily Times she personally was saddened by the situation.

"It was his own decision [not to attend]. As you can imagine, he just wants to regroup a bit at the moment. It has probably been the most dreadful week of his life and I want to give him that kind of respect."

Ms Bennett also discussed the recent funding injection into the resort.

"How exciting to see the ring road [Hawthorne Dr] open. Roadworks at the roundabout must be driving locals crazy but that is a bit of pain for gain and it shows we are actually putting the investment in. It is really exciting — we are willing to invest, we just admit there is more investment going to be needed over a period of time. But we want to make sure we are taking a breath and doing it right."

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult also addressed the business lunch.  He said the resort’s small population was faced with "metropolitan-sized issues".

"Some people want to stymie growth. I don’t. In fact, I don’t think we can. Growth is the lifeblood of our wellbeing, but we also have to plan for it and prepare for it, so that we grow in a way that protects and enhances not only the experiences of those who come here, but the lifestyle and well-being of those of you who call this place home."

The traditional fireworks display, which usual announces the opening of Winter Festival, attracted a big  crowd.

Festival director Lisa Buckingham said the atmosphere for the display was "electric".

"The crowds are on a par with other years and the vibe is incredibly positive."

Yesterday’s festivities wrapped up with Comedy Night at Queenstown’s Memorial Centre.

Sport fans also got some action last night as the resort’s SkyCity  Stampede ice hockey outfit beat Auckland team  Botany Swarm, 6-2,  at the Queenstown Ice Arena.

 

Festival programme

TODAY

9am:  Arts & Crafts Market, Queenstown Bay
10am-10pm:  Queenstown Village Rink open, Village Green
10.30am:  Mountain Bikes on Snow, the Remarkables
Noon:  Saturday Sounds from The Locals, Burgers & Beers, Earnslaw Park
Noon:  Day on the Bay featuring Birdman, Jet Sprints, Undy 500, Raft Race, Queenstown Bay
1pm, 2pm & 3pm:  Kids DIY Workshops, Earnslaw Park
1.30pm, 2.30pm. 3.30pm:  Adults DIY Workshops, Earnslaw Park
4pm:  Opening of Night Skiing, including Suitcase Race and Bobsled Competition, Coronet Peak
6pm:  Frankton Arm Cruise, TSS Earnslaw
6.50pm:  Ice Hockey, Southern Stampede v Botany Swarm, Queenstown Ice Arena
7pm:  Ball — Shanghai Nights, Queenstown Memorial Centre
8.20pm:  Pecha Kucha Night Queenstown, Heritage Queenstown, Fernhill

TOMORROW

7am:  Skin to the Summit, Coronet Peak
10am & 1.30pm:  Doubles Disk Tournament, Queenstown Gardens
10am-10pm:  Queenstown Village Rink open, Village Green
Noon-9pm:  Carnival featuring snow sculpting (noon), Duck Race (3pm), Community Walking Parade (5pm)
6pm:  Frankton Arm Cruise, TSS Earnslaw

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement