Celebrating 150 Years in the Valley of Gold
&
Cardrona Vintage Fair
Saturday 8th
& Sunday 9th December 2012
The historical and picturesque township of Cardrona in the breathtaking Cardrona Valley turns 150 years Gold this year.
To celebrate, the iconic Cardrona Hotel and the greater community are opening their doors, hearts and rabbit cookbook’s
for a birthday bash guaranteed to delight all ages.
Saturday 8th December - 150 Years of Gold celebration
From the excitement of highly trained heading dogs competing in the Dog Trials to trying your hand at gold panning, the
150 Years of Gold celebrations are local-jam-packed with fun and fascinating events for everyone.
Join a period school class, take a stagecoach ride, compete in mini-Highland games, pan for gold and see a blacksmith
shoeing horses. Revel in the exhilaration of musterers and miners’ horse races and other equestrian events. Reel the
night away dressed in the opulent finery of the late 1800’s, strive to win best-dressed couple and dance the Gay Gordon
till the cows come home!
Situated in and around the idyllic community of Cardrona Valley the Cardrona 150 Years of Gold celebrations will open
the door to the past to the public. Brimming with history, both beautiful and bizarre, the Village Square has displays
and entertainment for all. Don’t miss local folk favourite, Martin Curtis’s “Off to the Dry Cardrona” Concert at the
historic Cardrona Hall!
Sunday 9th December
The Cardrona Vintage Fair at the Cardrona Hotel
Set among the iconic historical Cardrona Hotel gardens, the annually beloved Cardrona Vintage Fair is a magnificent
melange of vintage curios booths, delectable fare and the carefree merriment only an authentic country vintage fair can
provide. For $5.00 children are invited and encouraged to create their own stall at the “Kid’s Market” where they may
buy, sell or exchange their wares, toys, games, books, even their expertise – budding fortune tellers anyone? Adults,
you will be amazed at the entrepreneurial spirit of our youth!
Secure your special spot on the luscious lawns and relax for the afternoon. Enjoy live entertainment with Jamie
Robertson & Band, partake of the Valley’s infamous rabbit stew with broom flower and watercress scones, feast on the sumptuous
delicacy of spit roasted Cardrona Merino Lamb or Simon the Butcher’s award-winning sausages – or both! Those with a
sweet tooth cannot resist the homemade waffles served with locally grown plums and whipped cream. Nor the medley of
locally grown and produced jams, jellies, fruits, honeys and preserves as well as Café Bonjour’s authentic French
Croissants and “pain au chocolat” – oh-la-la!
While the children play on the bouncy castle, grown ups while away the afternoon in the blissful luxury of a vintage
afternoon in the Valley.
The proceeds of this year’s Cardrona Vintage Fair will be instrumental in the funding of the Cardrona-Wanaka walk and
cycle track, an initiative of great value to the community.
ends