Prime Minister to Officially Open the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival

New Zealand Prime Minister the Hon Mr. John Key will officially get the party started at the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival this Friday (25 June).

Mr Key will attend the free American Express Opening Party, to be held in Earnslaw Park from 6pm, and officially declare the 10-day festival open.

Festival Director Simon Green is thrilled that Mr Key will be doing the honours.

“It’s a fantastic endorsement of the Festival and its value both locally and nationally that the Prime Minister – who’s also the Minister of Tourism - is the one to get the party started. We hope Mr Key enjoys his time here and can see firsthand how locals and visitors alike celebrate the town's unique culture and community. ”

Queenstown’s Winter Festival is a celebration of all things winter which has grown from humble beginnings in 1975 into the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party. Thousands of people now come from around New Zealand and the world for the annual Festival, with the Tourism Research Institute putting the overall cash injection back into the economy at a massive $17.3 million.

The 36th annual Festival gets underway in style on Friday 25 June at the free American Express Opening Party with a spectacular fireworks display, a performance by Southland’s international sensation ‘Pipeworkz’, live music, mulled wine and plenty of laughs.

The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival runs from 25 June to 4 July 2010. For more information or for a programme please phone 0800 FESTIVAL (03 441 2453) or visit the Festival website www.winterfestival.co.nz.