This year’s Victorian Heritage Celebrations are sure to be golden.

Preparations are all going to plan for this year’s event, which has a Growing for Gold theme, celebrating the golden prosperity of the Waitaki region, which was a gateway to the Otago goldfields back in the 19th Century. 

Ōamaru also grew as a supply town for miners.

But beyond the actual gold nuggets, organising committee co-chair Cyndi Christensen says there is a golden gleam to many of Waitaki’s attractions.

“You know, it can be the gold, the colour of the wheat, the buildings. So you can take it in any direction. Even the whisky and beer are kind of being brought into that.”  

Cyndi’s fellow co-chair, Wendy Jones, says the fashion will also be something to behold - with the golden theme weaving its way into a number of creations.

And for those with dreams of striking it rich, there will be a panner outside Housekeepers Design on Sunday, to show the whole family how it’s done, with gold to be found in every pan.

There are more than 120 events, with new and returned speakers, dancers and other special guests. The majority of the talks are free, or require a gold coin donation.

Hokitika historian David Verrall will be coming in character as former New Zealand prime minister Richard Seddon.

“He's doing two talks and they're free as well. He'll be really theatrical and bring lots of life to his talks, I think, which is great. He sounds amazing,” Wendy says. 

A special one-off screening of the Charlie Chaplin silent film The Gold Rush Soiree at Ōamaru’s Riviera Cinema to open the Heritage Celebrations, has already sold out for tonight.  

“So people will probably be dressed up as Charlie Chaplin or in their Victorian clothes, turn up, and part of their ticket price of $20 is a drink, some nibbles

“So that's been really great, and the new owners are really embracing it. So they already want to come back next year and do more,” Wendy says.

Celebrations co-ordinator Everall Deans says the four days offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors.

“It really does feel like you’ve been thrown back in time. You’ve got the vehicles, the people, and seeing the way people dress, it’s like walking inside a living museum.”

Croquet in the garden, at a previous Garden Party. Photo: Supplied

As well as the usual favourites such as Friday’s Garden Party, and Saturday’s national Heritage Bicycle Championships and Grand Parade, there is also the battle for the best scone between nine Ōamaru cafes, and Victorian Christmas gold-themed shop windows.

Sunday’s Victorian Fete, a separate event run by the Whitestone Civic Trust which ties in nicely with the Heritage Celebrations, will be similar to last year, but with even more crammed in.

It will remain solely on Harbour Street, due to costs associated with closing Tyne Street, and entry will be by donation, Wendy says.

“So I think the Fete will be sort of back on track this year, with more entertainment. They'll have stalls, there'll be more activities, and they've definitely put, you know, lots of energy into it.”

There is extra incentive for going all out with the facial hair competitions this year, with new trophies created by Ōamaru’s Martin Horspool (Buggy Robot Man) up for grabs, she says.

The weekend’s weather is looking perfect for the layers of Victorian garb, although rain is a possibility again for Friday’s Garden Party, which was a wash out last year.

“We're keeping fingers crossed for Friday,” Cyndi says. “We make a call at 9am to whether it goes ahead.

“Last year was easier because it was raining already. This year, the rain is meant to start at 1 o'clock and the garden party is at 2.30pm.”

Last year the unused food was delivered to local rest homes to avoid waste, and people were refunded their $5 ticket fee.

As organisers, Cyndi and Wendy hoped all the locals would come and support the weekend.

“There just seems to be a lot of great energy around for it, and there's just so much on - over 120 talks, tours and visits,” Cyndi says.

“And, you know, there's probably some amazing buildings that you can get into that you normally wouldn't, and it's just such a great way to really learn about Ōamaru's history, and in a really fun way.”

People can dress in Victorian costume if they like but are encouraged to enjoy the weekend regardless.

“Please just come out and enjoy.”

Specific information about the weekend's events can be found online at the Victorian Heritage Celebrations website, or programmes have been distributed among local businesses.