Flags up, banners out

Flags up, banners out

Nelson is set to pulse with arty action when the 12th annual Arts Festival swings into action at the end of this week (Friday October 13th).

Festival flags are up in Nelson, Motueka and Takaka, a lighthouse has been constructed at Albion Square - along with a marquee that will become the Deutz Lighthouse café and bar by the end of the week.

From today the festival technical crew are working inside St John's Church converting it into a theatre. A total of 90 cast and crew will fly in, starting with UK comedian Rainer Hersch on Wednesday, and around the region's schools an estimated 4000 masks are taking shape ready for the Port Nelson Masked Parade on Friday night.

The Mac's Sculpture Symposium has already been running for eight days - with works in marble, wood, glass, cement, fabric and metal taking shape, ready for the gala opening this Saturday (October 14th).

Nelson City Council Festival Director Annabel Norman says ticket sales are good.

"Obviously the town is ready for a laugh - Rainer Hersch and the Aussie comedy trio the Kransky sisters are big sellers but we have still have tickets to almost all shows," she said. "Nelson people have responded well to the Friends package - it'll be available right through the festival - we really want to make the shows affordable."

Ms Norman said there is a lot of excitement about the new venues and the new events.

"This is an arts festival for eveyone - our Masked Parade is already famous and this year the Fulton Hogan Family Finale wraps it all up on Labour Weekend Monday with fun events for nothing or at little cost for people (and their pets) of all ages."

The Nelson Arts Festival is produced by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an attraction for visitors.

ENDS

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