'Running of the Fringe' to fire up Fringe

February 5, 2010
Media Advisory

'Running of the Fringe' to fire up Fringe

The New Zealand Fringe Festival 2010's Running of the Fringe
12pm – 12.30pm Friday February 12
Cuba Street, Wellington

Wellington City gets its own unique slice of Pamplona next Friday when the inaugural Running of the Fringe kicks off down the heart of the creative quarter of the capital.

To celebrate the opening day of the 20th anniversary New Zealand Fringe Festival, the Running of the Fringe will feature colourfully costumed and clamouring participants proceeding down Cuba St from Abel Smith Street to the corner of Manners Mall and Cuba Mall.

There will be plenty of festive noise, bizarre dress and visually impressive props among the runners, expected to top more than 100 participants. A most vibrant way to kick off Fringe 2010, which runs from February 12 to March 7.

The festivities also include the opening of the new Fringe HQ, a retro 1950s style caravan that has been artistically designed and painted by artists from Manky Chops Gallery. Some pre-painting will be happening tomorrow (Saturday February 6) at the One Love concert at Hataitai Velodrome.

Wellington deputy mayor Ray Ahipene Mercer will preside over the opening ceremonies and ribbon-cutting, and will also crown the King and Queen of Fringe, two honorary positions awarded to the most outrageously costumed personalities who attend the Running of the Fringe.

The best position to film, record, shoot and report from the event will be from 12.15 at various points along Cuba Mall, especially the Dixon Street intersection and the intersection of Cuba and Manners Malls.

There will be no illegal running on roads, and traffic lights will be adhered to by all participants. The Wellington City Council has supplied guidelines for the event that all participants will be informed of. In addition, the Fringe Festival will be stationing marshals along the route to ensure no one breaks the rules and disruption to other pedestrians is minimised.

But otherwise, it should be a load of fun and an appropriate way to launch the Fringe 2010.

February 12: Fringe 2010 launches
March 7: Fringe Awards and festival ends

ends

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