Organisers of the Otago Goldfields Cavalcade are on the hunt for a town to host the 2018 event after first-choice Lake Hawea declined the invitation.
A public meeting was held at the Lake Hawea Community Centre last week, where it was decided the town would decline the invitation to host the 2018 cavalcade.
Difficulty finding a person able to chair the organising committee and planned infrastructure upgrades were the main reasons the planning committee declined the invitation. Cavalcade organiser Terry Davis said he was disappointed Lake Hawea would not host the event in 2018 but understood the reasons why.
Once the town was ready it would be offered another chance to host the event, he said.
Neither Lake Hawea nor Hawea Flat had hosted the event before and he was keen to bring it back to the Upper Clutha after the successful 2009 cavalcade hosted by Wanaka.
"The parade we had in 2009 was one of the best — everyone absolutely loved it ... So we are very keen to offer Hawea another chance when they think it’s best for them," Mr Davis said.
Other options for 2018 included Twizel but it had similar issues to Lake Hawea, he said.
"I’m going to have to get on the phone this week and call around some of the towns and see if anyone can put their hands up and take on the event in 2018."
Omakau will host the 2017 Otago Goldfields Cavalcade, which runs from February 25 to March 4.
