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.
Festivities begin on Friday night with the now traditional drag race, in which men dressed as women and women dressed as men race around an obstacle course. Men need a frock, heels and handbag; women a suit, gumboots and proper hat. Last-minute entries will be able to help themselves from a rack of clothing.
Other free attractions include a beach dig, wok cook-off, spaghetti-eating contest, mural painting, paper-plane flying, cake decorating and mini-ironman.
On Saturday night the Duke of Marlborough is hosting an Elvis Ball; entry $5 or free to anyone dressed as Elvis or Priscilla.
See www.russellbirdman.co.nz for the full programme or to download an entry form.
Competition
If you've always wanted to enjoy all three days of Russell's Birdman Festival but don't have anywhere to stay, we may be able to help.
Festival organisers and the Advocate are offering readers a chance to win two nights' accommodation at Orongo Bay Holiday Park, a few minutes' drive from Russell on the road to the ferry landing.
The winner gets a family lodge room, with its own kitchen and shared amenities, on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20. The room is suitable for two adults and two children.
The park is set in 6hectares of grounds in a kiwi and weka zone.
By staying both nights you get to enjoy Friday night's drag race, all Saturday's events and the post-Birdman revelry.
To be in to win, all you have to do is phone (09) 407 5574 by 4pm on Friday, and leave a message with your name and phone number(s). You also need to say you saw the competition in the Advocate.
You can email the same information to anika@blahblahmarketing.co.nz by 4pm Friday. Go to www.russellaccommodation.co.nz for more information about Orongo Bay Holiday Park.