CCC media release

French Fest 2008.

French Fest will offer something for everyone.

Food is an important focus of the day and there will be three French cooking master classes. On Saturday 11 October at 11 am in The Gaiety Theatre top Christchurch chefs Phillip Kraal, Tina Duncan and Tony Smith will show how it is done.

On Saturday at 1 pm, the French Ambassador’s Cooking Class in The Gaiety, will feature the French Ambassador to New Zealand, Monsieur Michel Legras and his personal chef Veronique Sauzeau. Tickets to all classes are $15 and available at the Recreation Ground Box Office. There will be limited cash door sales.

The French naval ship is due to arrive at 9 am on 10 October with the French Ambassador, Monsieur Michel Legras, on board. The crew will be involved in the official ceremony on Friday night when both the French and New Zealand flags will be raised.

The French contingent will also play an important part in the re-enactment at midday on Saturday 11 October of the 1840 landing – helping to reinforce the significance of the arrival of Akaroa’s ancestors on the Comte de Paris in 1840.

This will be followed by a parade through Akaroa accompanied by the New Zealand Army Band.

The town will feature a traditional French market place with the region’s best products on offer as well as roving entertainment with a highlight being the French Waiters’ Race hosted by the Motley Deux .

Throughout the day at the Recreation Ground, the Continental Grande Top will offer a full programme throughout the day of vaudeville-style acts featuring many of the buskers who have just returned from festivals across Europe including the Edinburgh Festival.

French Fest organiser Mark Hadlow says “We have assembled some of New Zealand’s greatest street performers who have created new acts and characters with a strong French flavour.’’

In the Continental Petite Top, a programme of entertainment specially created for little ones will keep them amused with storytelling, magic, clowns and juggling. This will also run throughout the day.

Outdoor Recreation Ground entertainment will include the classic French pastime of pétanque and, for those with a bit more time to spare, Le Snail Race. Bigger kids can expend their energy playing French children’s games (outdoors).

Festivities will continue well into the night and visitors and residents can enjoy stepping out in style at “Sortir dans le Modèle” where they can dance the night away in the Continental Grande Top. The music features 17-piece band Level 3, who will be performing classics from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Everyone is welcome to the free event.

People wanting an easy travel option to the festival can catch a Red Bus leaving Christchurch at 9.30 am and returning at 5.30 pm. The bus leaves from the St Asaph Street end of the Tuam Street CCC car park, which has free car parking on weekends.

Tickets are available from Red Bus on Ph: 379 4260 and cost $20 per person return with a family ticket, for two adults and two children under 15, costing $75.

For more information go to www.frenchfest.co.nz

ENDS

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