Lunchtime antics draw large crowds Queenstown Winter Fest

Media release from the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival

27 June 2012

Lunchtime antics draw large crowds Queenstown Winter Festival

More madcap antics ensued on Day 6 of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival with hundreds of people gathering at Earnslaw Park for the highly anticipated MoreFM Downtown Day, which featured an unusual mix of sheep, cupcakes, hospitality skills, and gentlemen dressed in drag.

As usual the infamous MoreFM Drag Race was a crowd pleaser as 21 well respected local businessmen, in a collection of eye-watering outfits, wigs and high heels, vied to put the Queen back in Queenstown. The excitable lasses made their way round an obstacle course amid cheers from the crowd running through tyres, ducking under poles and leaping over hay bales to earn the coveted title of Miss Overall Drag.

The grand final came down to Regan Pearce aka Regina Dirteek-Hunt, Sales Manager at AJ Hackett Bungy, Mark Wilson aka Miss Inappropriate, Managing Director of Inappropriate Marketing, and James Coddington aka Evanka “Pleasantly Surprised” Codpiece, NZSki CEO.

Unfortunately Evanka had to pull out with a hamstring injury so Regina and Miss Inappropriate took to the start line both determined to take the title. Hair pulling and dirty tactics at the last turn made for a close race but ultimately Miss Inappropriate took line honours in her first drag race, earning her bragging rights as Miss Overall Drag 2012.

‘Miss Photogenic’ was claimed by Destination Queenstown CEO Graham Budd aka Gail Force, ‘Miss Friendly’ was claimed by Lakes Environmental’s Peter Laurenson aka Mare-e Hump-Free, ‘Miss Personality’ went to Lakes Leisure’s Richie Heap aka Irene Yankerbollockoff, and ‘Miss Best Dressed’ went to JD Marrable aka Ivana Felchalot, also from Lakes Leisure, who sported a lovely leopard print one-piece with a red feather boa to match.

Earlier in the day, the inaugural Cup and Cake Cupcake Competition saw competitors race around the obstacle course trying to keep their stack of cupcakes intact. Calvin Hilly took top honours and walked away with a prize of tasty Cup and Cake cupcakes.

Staff from some of Queenstown’s top hotels pitted their hospitality skills against each other in the Queenstown Resort College Hospitality Race in a relay race involving suitcases and drink trays. The Hilton’s ‘Blue Steel’ team took out top spot with the Mercure Hotel and the ‘Kawarau Kickers’ from Kawarau Hotel taking second and third respectively.

The final event of the day had Simon Green pulling out the sheep puns.

“This sheep race has been years in the making. We were going to have them run with the drag but I tell you what - it’s wool on!”

The inaugural Pub on Wharf Sheep Races had eight highly trained sheep run five races around a short track. Each race gave eight lucky crowd members a chance to win a $50 Pub on Wharf Voucher if their sheep won, while second place sheep-getters got a couple of drink vouchers.

Festival Director Simon Green said the MoreFM Downtown Day had the crowd highly amused - and, at times, bemused.

“Sheep, cupcakes, hospitality skills, and drag racers - it’s a great recipe. I think the lunchtime crowd was definitely entertained.”

Last night contestants brought their best poker faces to the table for the Skycity Queenstown Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament. David Kelly won the fiercely contested competition with second place going to Jared McVicker.

The laughs continue tonight with the infamous 7 Days Live TV show being filmed in front of a live studio audience at the Queenstown Memorial Hall from 6.30pm. The comedic geniuses of Jeremy Mulligan, Dai Henwood, Paul Ego, and Ben Hurley are sure to give the crowd a good time.

Tomorrow’s lineup features some festival favourites with the Speight’s Dog Derby at Coronet Peak at midday followed by the Speight’s Dog Barking competition at Earnslaw Park at 3pm.

The evening fires off with the Speight’s Great Stag Roar at the Speight’s Ale House from 5pm while the popular Skyline Murder Mystery ‘Murder in the Mountains’ night at the Skyline Complex starts at 6pm and the Speight’s Summit Mountain Safety Avalanche Awareness Seminar at the Queenstown Memorial Hall starts at 7pm. Rounding out the night will be The World Bar’s Winter Sounds featuring Hollie Smith from 8pm and SkyCity Queenstown Casino’s live act Calico from 9pm.

To see the full line up of the programme and individual event details check out the 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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