Northland's most eccentric festival returns to Russell on July 19-21 with three days of midwinter madness.
Russell's Birdman Festival, founded in 2007 to inject life into the Bay in an otherwise quiet time of year, has since grown into one of the region's biggest winter events.
More than 4000 people crowded Russell's waterfront last year to watch would-be birdmen and women launch themselves from the end of the town wharf in elaborate costumes and flying machines. Prizes are awarded for creativity, crowd support and greatest distance.
Last year's supreme award went to GP Ian Birch and family, who broke a seven-year hoodoo by finally taking home a trophy for their Birdman Wizard entry. The ultimate flying challenge was won by Lucas Kale, of the Russell Civil Defence team, for a 7.5m leap.
This year organisers have raised the prize for both Supreme Birdman and greatest distance over 7m to $1000.