A whirlwind of events

People are pouring into town to celebrate their passions this month — whether that’s exploring outdoors, making apple chutney, flying, or indulging in the arts.

Based on Wanaka Show and Warbirds Over Wanaka crowd estimates, I reckon tens of thousands of people are here every weekend, on top of our usual 17,000-plus permanent residents.

The fun began on March 1 with the New Zealand Canyoning Festival and search and rescue exercise at Makarora, drawing more than 50 adventurers and their supporters from around the country and overseas.

That was just a splash in the lake.

Wanaka Show organisers estimate the March 8-9 show drew more than 44,000 visitors, while at least 55,000 people are expected to attend the airshow next weekend.

Sandwiched between these two behemoths was last weekend’s Harvest Festival at Luggate, which drew a few hundred to various workshops and a potluck long lunch.

A few hundred slow fashion aficionados enjoyed the boardwalk at last night’s Refashion Show at the Lake Wanaka Centre, while an enthusiastic bunch of music lovers revelled in last night’s Wanaka Concert Society’s concert at Mount Aspiring College’s new music suite.

Today the weekend-long Magicland Adventure Sports Festival begins at Alpha Burn Station at Glendhu Bay, and tomorrow the Ripe Central Otago Wine and Food Festival will welcome many visitors to nearby Glendhu Station.

The Easter holidays always draw people to town, regardless if they go to Warbirds or not. There’s a fair chance town will be heaving.

And hot on the heels of Warbirds is the Aspiring Conversations Festival from April 4-7, another popular Wanaka-grown event that draws many out-of-town visitors.

One of the most noticeable impacts from events (except the backcountry Canyon Festival) this month has been the pressure on the roads that are undergoing works and maintenance programmes.

Pinch points include Aubrey Rd, the Mount Iron corner on State Highway 6, and the Wastebusters corner on Ballantyne Rd.

My advice is to not underestimate travel times. Take roads less travelled. There are way more cars in Wanaka than one might think.

Case in point: earlier this month, event organisers estimated 200 vehicles would park on council land at Mount Iron and take a bus to the Wanaka Show. The reality? Between 400-500 cars parked there. It was just one park and ride car park set up for the day.