Crowds of festival-goers from across the country and beyond gathered in the Cardrona Valley today to welcome in the new year and support their favourite artists.<\/p>\n
Rhythm and Alps is Otago’s largest New Year’s Eve festival, having expected crowds of 10,000 to enjoy the three-day event.<\/p>\n
After hearing about the festival last minute, Jazzy Pearl and Rory Weeding, from Calgary, Canada, worked as volunteers prior to the festival and earned free tickets.<\/p>\n
Mr Weeding said the pair, who have now been in the country for the last two-and-a-half weeks, think the change in weather is perfect.<\/p>\n
“It was -30c\u00b0 back home when we left,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We flew 18 hours from Canada, got a van in Auckland and drove down, but this has been the best part so far.<\/p>\n
“We are going to make the most of the summer and go cherry-picking in the new year.”<\/p>\n
Upper Clutha locals Archie Orbell and Otis Murphy, who are members of the band Powder Chutes, said they were most excited to see Fiona and the Glow.<\/p>\n
“We just got one-day passes. We love being here, it\u2019s just a different kind of feel,” they said.<\/p>\n
Paris Kerr who attended the festival with a group of friends for two nights said she was most excited to see Dizzee Rascal.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We came to see Dizzee Rascal, that\u2019s our man.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We\u2019ve been to the Kurow races and are staying in the area for the W\u0101naka Rodeo, then we\u2019ll head back home,\u2019\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n
Tickets to the festival have been on sale since Feburary and had limited tickets still available to purchase on the day of the event.<\/p>\n
MetService recorded a high of 21c\u00b0 in W\u0101naka on New Year’s Eve, while New Year’s Day is predicted to have possible thunderstorms for the W\u0101naka area. \u00a0<\/p>\n