Crowds turn out for festival fun

Thousands have turned up to the street parade at this year's Winter Festival. Photo / Tracey Roxburgh

Fine, warm weather greeted the thousands of people who lined the Queenstown CBD today to take in the action from the Golden Mile and the annual Street Parade, part of the 2014 Queenstown Winter Festival.

The Golden Mile saw competitors - from the serious to the hilarious - race a block of the CBD twice, many dressed in costume.

One younger competitor's race got off to a flying start, before he ended up face first on the street.

Visibly upset, the boy was lifted to his feet, helped by fellow entrants to get his shoe back on his foot and carried on running, cheered on loudly by the crowd.

Immediately following the race the crowd took in all the sights of the annual street parade, with this year's 70s theme embraced by many.

Stilt walkers, Storm Troopers, jet boats, zombies, a steam engine and hundreds of children completed a slow lap of the CBD with only one float having its parade rained on.

The Kawarau II jet boat, on a trailer being pulled by a car, had to withdraw early after the car's engine began overheating.

Festival action continues today with New Zealand's first Hot Tub outdoor cinema sessions at Earnslaw Park, and a Dive-In Movie at Alpine Aqualand this afternoon.

Tonight the Southern Stampede ice hockey team will host the Dunedin Thunder at the Queenstown Ice Rink in the first game of a double header, while hundreds of people will be dressed to the nines for the Narnia-themed 2014 Queenstown Winter Festival Ball.

-The Otago Daily Times