Participant numbers up for Wanakafest events

Hula hooper Milly B, of Queenstown, shows the crowd how it's done, at Wanakafest on Saturday. Photo by Jessica Maddock.

The return of a pie eating competition to Wanakafest proved popular and old favourites the cardboard boat race and polar plunge lake swim attracted the most participants in years, event co ordinator Rebecca Brosnahan said.

The community festival was held in the lakefront dinosaur playground on Saturday. An estimated crowd of 1000 people enjoyed the various events, which also included live music, food stalls, a pet parade and an ''imagination station'' for children.

Run by the Wanaka Community Trust, the event replaced the festival which used to be held at Labour Weekend.

Miss Brosnahan said it had been brought forward to coincide with the school holidays and to celebrate the transition from winter to spring.

''Everything's put on free by the Wanaka Community Trust - their whole focus is to provide a community event, by the community, for the community.''

The Rotary Club's popular rubber duck race down Bullock Creek would continue to be held at Labour Weekend, she said.