Ranfurly will celebrate Christmas Fest again this year, dispelling any concerns Covid-19 restrictions would curtail the community event. 

The event is organised by the Maniototo Business Breakfast Group, and member Janyne Fletcher says they have been busy organising a newly themed Christmas Fest which will kick off on the evening of Friday December 10, from 5pm to 8pm.  

She says there will be “plenty of opportunities for pre-Christmas retail therapy” but this event now has a new focus as a community event.

“We have a couple of changes and new developments,” Janyne explains. “This year the event will open up to local makers, crafts people and small businesses to have market tables down Charlemont Street.   

“In the past this event has had a focus on late night shopping, which people have really enjoyed, but we wanted to develop it into more of a community event.  

“With the recent focus on rural mental health, events like this give families and people of all ages a chance to reconnect, have fun and celebrate the good things about living in a small community.”

Entry tickets will be available at local retailers a week before the big night.

In another great tradition Santa will be welcoming visitors at the Ranfurly i-Site.  

“Local buskers and entertainers will also be adding music and festivities to the street party atmosphere,” Janyne says. 

“Another attraction will be the ever popular Christmas Gift Hampers.  

“In a slight change to help with fundraising efforts, anyone can now enter the draw for the hamper. Just fill out an entry form and make a gold coin donation and enter.  

“The hampers will be on display at the Janyne Fletcher’s Gallery and Maniototo Hardware and Garden.

“To cap things off, the search will once again be on for Maniototo’s Best Dressed Bike.  

“We are looking forward to seeing a wonderful range of bikes which will be judged at the EV Carpark beside Graham Electrical from 5pm on Friday night.”

Maniototo's Best Dressed Bike will again feature at this year's Christmas Fest.

This year, with so many families still separated by Covid-19, a new initiative is taking place. 

“As part of raising funds for a new Christmas Tree we are setting up a “memory tree” at the Ranfurly i-Site,” Janyne says. 

“People can purchase a decoration - gold coin donation - and hang it on the tree to remember loved ones that are not home for Christmas - particularly relevant in these Covid times.”

Janyne says the event is “pretty much organised” and just wants people to come along and enjoy the festivities, indulge in a little retail therapy and help us raise funds for our new Christmas Tree.  

“We are really keen to get the word out to the greater Maniototo and Manuherikia and Strath Taieri areas.

“This event has been going for some years but it is particularly important this year as it has been a tough time for everyone and we want to give the public a chance to celebrate by coming together as a community and have some fun.  

“This year the group is fundraising for a new community Christmas tree which we hope to install on the village green. 

“The Christmas Fest is a great opportunity to start the fundraising journey and get the word out there.”

Janyne Fletcher says it would be great to see Maniototo locals come out and enjoy this fun event, but extended the invite to those outside the area. 

“We would also like to invite our friends from districts outside the Maniototo,” she says. “Visitors to the Christmas Fest will have a great night out but we want to enjoy ourselves in the safest way possible so local retailers will have QR codes available to scan and mask wearing is essential.”

Christmas Fest takes place on Friday December 10, from 5pm to 8pm. 

Tickets will be available from local retailers.