Maritime merriment time
Raft racers prepare to enter the water at the Picton Maritime Festival. Photo: Vaughan Scott Images.
With clouds providing a dramatic backdrop, the Picton Maritime Festival inspired sunny dispositions among spectators who flocked to the harbour town for its annual celebration of the seas.
After an evening of music opened the event on Friday, the Saturday programme featured raft races from the foreshore, a parade of sailboats and a demonstration of surf lifesaving, along with kids’ activities, vendors and more music. Clipper ship fans also got a close-up look at the Spirit of New Zealand alongside Fisherman’s Wharf.
The festival proved a boon for preservation as well. Volunteers for New Zealand King Salmon’s annual fundraiser netted $1,422 for Kaipūpū Sanctuary.