16 August 2011

Save the date for French Fest

The biggest community festival in Banks Peninsula to set to take place in the last weekend in October. Come and celebrate ‘a taste of France in the heart of New Zealand’ with the Piper Heidsieck French Fest.

French Fest is a premium event on the Christchurch City Council’s event calendar and a major community festival for Banks Peninsula. The festival takes place 28 to 30 October 2011 and embraces the unique beauty, culture and heritage of New Zealand’s only French settlement.

Christchurch City Councils’ Marketing Manager, Richard Stokes says French Fest is perfectly placed for those looking for a culture injection in the last weekend of October.

“French Fest takes place after Rugby World Cup and before New Zealand Cup and Show Week so the timing couldn’t be better for a trip over the hill to Akaroa.

“Some Christchurch residents may not have visited Akaroa for quite some time and the festival is the best excuse to re-visit this beautiful area and experience its unique French connection.

“It can be easy to forget that we have such a unique settlement on our doorstep – it’s like no other place in New Zealand. Save the date for what will be fun weekend and a chance to soak up some French culture, flavour and history.

This is the first year that French Fest will be held across an entire weekend, and this year’s programme provides a full weekend of ceremony and celebration for the whole family.

“In previous years, French Fest was a one day event, but with so many activities and performances to squeeze into one day, the decision was made in 2009 to extend the festival to an entire weekend and run it biennially.” Mr Stokes said.

Piper Heidsieck French Fest will start on Friday 28 October with a thrilling street party, Fête de Rue, in the heart of Akaroa. On Saturday, take part in the re-enactment of the landing, a theatrical re-telling of Akaroa’s colonial origins as told by the descendants of the Comte de Paris immigrant ship. Throughout the day, festival goers will enjoy a selection of live music and entertainment; a market day with French-themed stalls; a host of games, competitions and craft; glamour, music and dancing at the evening ball, the Comte de Paris Bal; and, an outdoor movie on the village green. The festival finale on Sunday 30 October is the exciting French Fest French Cricket Tournament featuring celebrity New Zealand cricketers.

Piper Heidsieck French Fest is produced by the Christchurch City Council on behalf of the Akaroa Heritage Festival Society. Full event details are now online at www.frenchfest.co.nz

ENDS

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