Putting the Queen In Queenstown At the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival Downtown Day

Another year, another spectacle of macho gone madam brought lunchtime crowds out to Earnslaw Park on Day 6 of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival for the infamous MoreFM Drag Race.

Hundreds gathered to watch twelve well-respected local businessmen and local personalities vie for the coveted overall title as they pushed and shoved their way around an obstacle course to test anyone’s stiletto-wearing skills.

American Express Queenstown Winter Festival Manager Lisa Buckingham said the crowd came out to “revel in the madness”.

“It’s one of those ‘only in Queenstown during Festival’ moments when visitors and locals spend their lunch break watching friends, family and bosses careen from one unique event to another at the MoreFM Downtown Day,” said Lisa.

“There’s always lots of healthy competition in these events and it’s hilarious to watch the local community come together and take part in some of the crazier winter festivities.”

Always a favourite with the crowds, this year’s event didn’t disappoint and there were some stand-out performances as spectators whooped and cheered in encouragement for their favourite ‘lady’.

Miss Inappropriate (Mark Wilson from Inappropriate Marketing) successfully defended ‘her’ 2012 win in a closely fought race with Wilma Ballsdrop (Scott Conway from Feast) and Robin Banks (Mark Pullar from Roost) which saw wigs flying, fascinators askew and stilettos abandoned.

Earlier the Cup & Cake Challenge, a twist on the good old egg and spoon race, saw competitors race around an intricate obstacle course while trying to keep their beautifully decorated cupcakes intact. The final challenge was to eat, which almost became inhale for winner James MacPherson of Queenstown, the cupcake to win.

The Tug of War, event six in the 10 days and 10 events Pub on Wharf Challenge, was taken out by Hadley’s Heroes from local business Hadley’s Consultants boosting their overall score.

Teams from Queenstown’s top hotels competed to be crowned the ‘Hosts with the Most’ in the QRC Hospitality Race, once again a closely fought event with the Mighty Mercurians from Mercure Queenstown Resort seizing the title 

The first of three performances of Picasso at the Lapin Agile takes place tonight at 8pm in the International Departure Lounge of Queenstown Airport. For the next three evenings, the Storming Theatre Co-op presents Steve Martin’s hilarious and moving story of a meeting between Einstein and Picasso, set in a Paris bar in 1905.

Tonight’s George FM Aprés Ski session is with DJ Dean Campbell who hits the decks at Zephyr Bar in Searle Lane, spinning his mix of cool tunes and upbeat tracks.

Pooches and working dogs will need a good night’s sleep tonight before ‘stepping up’ at tomorrow’s Speight’s Dog Derby at Coronet Peak and Speight’s Dog Barking competition at Earnslaw Park. Dogs and their masters take part in both events which are free to watch with fun and chaos guaranteed. The Derby starts at 12pm followed by the barking at 3pm.

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

© Scoop Media