This year's LGBT celebrations at Vinegar Hill have been very well attended so far, despite unpredictable weather. “On Christmas Day we had thirty people for Christmas Dinner, but there were at least double that number of people on camp, which is unusual for that time,” says Vinegar Hill enthusiast Calum Bennachie. “Yesterday there was around 200 people. Several campsites seemed to spring up in the middle of the day. So it's already been far busier than we expected.” There was a Civil Union held at camp on Boxing Day, with around 80 people at the reception. But the weather has been a challenge: “Quite rainy, then very sunny, then windy, then a bit of calm, then cloudy, then sunny again,” says Bennachie. Vinegar Hill's biggest night will be New Year's Eve, when the new ‘Queen of Vinegar Hill' will be crowned. The Queen is elected by a committee of former Queens, on the basis of service to the camp. The Old Queen (long-time camper Marc Smith, crowned this time last year), will be defrocked: the crown prized from his head, and the regalia prepared for the next recipient. The name is read out, the New Queen announced, and amidst cheers, gasps and showered with verbal blessings they are dressed in the Robes of Office, the staff handed to them, and the Crown placed upon their head. Then it's on with the party. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 28th December 2006 - 12:00pm