By all accounts, it was one for the record books.
Thousands of people from across the country flocked to Arrowtown on Saturday for the 38th Arrowtown Autumn Festival’s hugely popular market day and street parade.
The Queenstown Orbus service to Arrowtown was jam-packed all day — services were largely at capacity by the time they left the Stanley St bus stop — while those who drove nabbed every available park in and around the town.
Along with arts and crafts, food vendors set up on Ramshaw Lane did a roaring trade, as did the town’s restaurants and cafes.
Following a vintage car display on Buckingham St, free street performances kept crowds entertained for several hours, including MulletMan and Mim, a Circus Space youth show and aerial and circus cabaret as well as a host of musicians.
The throngs came to a standstill just before 2pm, though, to watch as the annual street parade slowly made its way from Wilcox Green, along Centennial Ave and down Buckingham St.
About 35 different community organisations and businesses were involved this year, including the Southern Lakes Highland Pipe Band, the Lakes District Museum, the cast from Showbiz Queenstown’s upcoming season of Spamalot, stilt walkers, fairies, ice hockey players, Clydesdale horse Buster, and Arrowtown junior rugby players — riding in a Sunrise Balloons basket, which intermittently let off flames.
Festival co-ordinator Catherine Fallon said Arrowtown Preschool won the prize for best community float — in second place was the Arrowtown Horticultural Society.
She was elated with the turnout to events over the weekend, including yesterday’s sold-out Pie, Pint & Pinot party on Library Green, estimating more than 20,000 people turned out on Saturday.
Overall it was a "fantastic four days", with "perfect weather", she said.
