EVENTS

A Wine and Food Festival is held in February in the Oamaru Public Gardens. The event caters for the whole community, with live entertainment throughout the day and special activities for children.

For more information contact:
W: www.oamaruwineandfoodfest.co.nz

Each autumn, the time honoured tradition of celebrating a successful harvest and paying homage to North Otago's agricultural past is celebrated at Totara Estate. Festivities include a swaggers' race to the top of the Brydone Monument, penny-farthing rides, horse and wagon rides, traditional games and performances by roving minstrels.

For more information contact:
W: www.totaraestate.co.nz

Dansey's Pass Motorbike Trail Ride is the country's biggest one day trail ride event. The ride covers a 120km, three looped circuit. One loop is suitable for junior riders, while the remaining two are more suited for advanced riders. The event attracts strong community support, is held in November and provides a fun day out for families.

For more information contact:
Duntroon School
T: +64 3 431 2829

Possibly the District's best-known event, the Victorian Heritage Celebrations, celebrates the era when Oamaru first became famous. Highlights include the World Stone-Sawing Championships, National Penny-Farthing Championships, a Victorian fete and Grand Ball. Over a four-day period, thousands of visitors dressed in period costume promenade the historic precinct, the Public Gardens and the main town centre, having a lot of fun. There is a parade down the main street on the Saturday.

Every second year, as part of the Victorian Heritage Celebrations, a stone-carving symposium is held. Resident and visiting sculptors spend a week crafting their works; the resulting efforts are sold by auction at the end of the celebrations.

For more information visit:
W: www.historicoamaru.co.nz