Media release from the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival: June 21 2013

8.30pm, 21 June 2013

A vibrant start to the 2013 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival

2013 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival Opening Party & Fireworks

Thousands of revelers lined the shores of Lake Wakatipu on Friday to celebrate the mountain resort’s official start to winter, the 39th American Express Queenstown Winter Festival.

Visitors and locals gathered in Earnslaw Park under a full moon in crisp winter conditions to mark the opening of the ten coolest days of winter, watching a fantastic line up of the town’s most talented performers, Kiwi music icon Dave Dobbyn and a magnificent fireworks display in the American Express Opening Party and Fireworks.

Thousands of people vied for vantage points to watch opening performances by Wakatipu High rock band The Fletcherz and winners of the recent Queenstown original song contest Songstars before Kiwi music legend Dave Dobbyn took to the stage with twenty local school children for a youthful rendition of ‘Slice of Heaven’.

Dave Dobbyn and the children’s performance led into the start of the annual firework salute to winter which was officially ignited by Queenstown Mayor Vanessa Van Uden. The seven minute pyrotechnic salute lit up Queenstown Bay with the stunning Remarkables mountains as the backdrop.

After the fireworks, Dobbyn returned for a spectacular hour-long set which had the family crowd moving to kiwi anthems such as ‘Loyal’ and ‘Welcome Home’.

MC’d by comedians Urzila Carlson and Paul Ego, in town for the festival’s NZ Comedy Gala, the crowd were alternately laughing, dancing and singing during the two and half hour show.

Festival Manager Lisa Buckingham said she was “over the moon” with how well opening night had gone.

“It couldn’t have gone better and the turnout was great. It was fantastic to see all our local musicians up on the big stage showcasing the amazing talent we have in Queenstown.”

“Seeing the local schoolchildren perform with a Kiwi legend like Dave Dobbyn was one we’ll all remember.”

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the beginning of New Zealand’s ‘ten coolest days’. Winter really does start here.”

Dean Chadwick, Vice President of Consumer Marketing American Express New Zealand & Australia said opening day of the annual festival was “always a special occasion”.

“It’s shaping up to be yet another fantastic American Express Queenstown Winter Festival. Seeing people of all ages enjoying themselves is always great to watch. Every year it just gets better and better,” said Dean Chadwick.

Earlier in the day the Queenstown business community took to the hills above the resort town for the Gen-i Business Luncheon at Skyline Gondola. The event saw some vigorous discussion between speakers representing tourism industry heavyweights and the local business community debating Queenstown’s new conference centre.

“It was great to hear a passionate and informed discussion about something that’s so important to our region,” said MC Mr David Kennedy from Ngai Tahu Tourism.

“It’s clear there’s a lot of interest in the proposed new conference centre and the event brought together some key local businesses to freely talk about what it means for Queenstown.”

Festival fun continues today (Saturday 21 June) with an array of free and ticketed events for all the family.

At noon the American Express Festival Street Parade is led out by the Frontrunner Golden Mile where the fit, the fast and the funny hit the pavements around town in the run up to the annual float parade.

The American Express Festival Parade brings out crowds that pack the downtown Queenstown streets to see local businesses, community groups, festival sponsors and even super heroes put their best float forward in a noisy and colourful spectacle of music, fun and community spirit.

The Auckland Airport Family Fun Day, starting at 1pm in Earnslaw Park, packs family friendly favourites like face painting, the Jelly Belly Snow slide and a bouncy castle into two frenetic hours.

On-mountain action also starts tomorrow with the Mophie Mountain Bikes on Snow where competitors ride – and slide, down Coronet Peak’s snowy slopes.

New events to the festival debut on Saturday and include the Remarkables Mid-Winter Markets at The Remarkables Red Barn and the Fright Night Movie and Pool Party at Alpine Aqualand where swimmers ‘relax’ between strokes to a screening of Jaws.

Saturday’s huge line up of events will culminate with the SKYCITY Casino Royale Ball at the newly-renovated Memorial Centre. The Bond theme promises to deliver intrigue and glamour as locals and out-of-towners enjoy an evening of fine food and entertainment.

To see the full line up of the programme and individual event details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.

ENDS

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