FAIRLIE CELEBRATES

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32798, 24 December 1971, Page 7

FAIRLIE CELEBRATES

(From Our Oicn Reporter) l| TIMARU, Dec. 23. ’' “Roll along, covered waggon, roll along . . is the theme of the Mac- i kenzie Country and ] Western Carnival Society’s Christmas-New; Year Carnival. Drawn by two teams of Clydesdale horses. two beautiful covered waggons will present a colourful sight on the highway into the uplands, through Pleasant ! Point, Cave and Albury, on i December 30. The two-day I trek will end at Fairlie on ] New Year’s Eve. j The name of the Carnival ! Society has become synonyi mous with excellence in entertainment and enterprise, and this year’s carnival is no exception. History and Fantasy “In choosing a country and western theme for the holiday , festival, the society mixed local history with fantasy, j linking the Mackenzie Country life with that of the American Wild West,” says the president (Mr L. E. Cordes) in the “Fairlie Creek Gazette.” From a rotting, brokendown relic, a coach has been rebuilt to run once more with a unique collection of horsedrawn vehicles. Old fourwheeled grain waggons have been skilfully reconstructed into handsome Western-style prairie schooners. The waggons, gigs, and j other horse-drawn vehicles in the Mackenzie Country at this time of the year are fitting reminders of the district’s pioneering past, presenting lasting evidence of ] the patience and skills of the) early blacksmiths, coachbuilders and wheelwrights who forged from wood and steel such fine examples of transport.

Gold rush, polo In 1969, 7000 persons attended the first Mackenzie carnival. Last year, an estimated 12,000 flocked “Cow Town’s” (Fairlie) main street. Highlights this year include a gold rush to Burke’s Pass, stock car racing, polo, and a ribbon parade organised by the Mackenzie Highland Show Canine Association in conjunction with

the South Canterbury Canine Obedience Club. January 3 will be an important day in the carnival calendar. On that day, there, , will be a swagman’s derby 1 along the five miles from ; Fairlie to Kimbell. There is a Queen of the : Carnival contest and a Princess of the Mackenzie contest, and there will also be competitions for “Mackenzie, and his dog.” pioneer dress, and the best-dressed “cowboy” and “cowgirl.” Prize for “Muttonchops” A whiskers-growing competition has been arranged.! prizes to be awarded for the!

best “muttonchops,” moustache, and beard. A new feature this year is the Mackenzie fishing com-’ i petition. The Mackenzie Anglers’ Club will man the weighing-in station for the Carnival Society’s contests for the John Edmonds Challenge Cup (for the heaviest trout taken from any lake, river or stream in the Mackenzie Country) and Noel Thomas Trophy, awarded for the heaviest fish taken from Lake Alexandrina. both contests running from Christmas Day to January 3. The South Canterbury Vin- . Itage Car Club will be partici:!paring in the carnival.