Three Oamaru sisters and their children won the best-dressed family prize, Bronwyn (left) and Amelia (3) Claridge, Jeannie White, Steph White and Pippa Robson (1), all from Oamaru. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

David Clarkson, a Steampunk enthusiast from Christchurch, on safari for the celebrations yesterday using a mixture of old and new photographic technology. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Diana Wheatley (from left), Anne Clarkson, Nixx and Matt Doms, all from Christchurch, on the Cafe Promenade in Thames St. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Oamaru Victorian Heritage committee chairman Kevin Malcolm at the official opening and welcome yesterday by Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher for the 2014 celebrations. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

With the theme of transport for this year's heritage celebrations, Colin (left) and Judy Barnes, the only two members of the Great British Explorers' Club, brought their camel transport ''Humpfree'' along with them from their home in Haumoana, Hawkes Bay. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Steam engines and trucks gather with people for a big photo opportunity outside the Oamaru Opera House after the Victorian Promenade along Thames St yesterday morning. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

winners of the best dressed couple in the Victorian Promenade were Gregory Henwood, from Christchurch, and Cheryl Inwood, from Dunedin. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Marshall Duff, from Rangiora, won the best dressed male. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Rae McLeod, from Oamaru, with her mountain-climbing outfit won the prize for best-dressed woman. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Sandra (left) and Diane Brough, both from Invercargill, with their spread for the best-dressed picnic table. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Preparing for afternoon tea are (from left) Lyn Gray, Jenny Lynch-Blosse, Sara Elliott, Ron Daw and Marise Martin. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Viv ( from left) and Ida Dennis and Jill Thyne, all from Christchurch, with their picnic using family 1911 silver, 1890 tea set and stand. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Grace Frater (14, left) and Madelin Duncan, both from Christchurch, watch the croquet competition. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Lydia Frater (10) plays a shot with (from left), Zeke (12), Jessica (18) Frater and Tim Marshall, all from Christchurch. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Oamaru ''maids'' (from left) Bronwen Ardouin (14), Sally Lory (14) and Lauryn Stewart (13) serve Susan Peach, from North Canterbury, and Lisa Frater (right) from Christchurch, at the garden party. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Gail Dryland and pilot Peter Clulow, of Hamilton, test their burner in the pre-sunrise gloom. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Peter King, from East Taratahi, stands inside his lightweight two-person Boland balloon as it is inflated at Awamoa Park, Oamaru, yesterday morning. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Peter Amyes. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Spectators watch as colourful balloons are inflated in Oamaru's Awamoa Park yesterday morning during the annual Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Peter King. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru

Howard Watson, of Wellington, looks down from the basket below his balloon. : Victorian celebrations lift off in Oamaru