Wellington City Council was kind enough to send this in:
World Premiere countdown…what Wgtn should know
It is now just under a week until Wellington hosts the much anticipated World Premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on Monday 1 December and there is a lot that Wellingtonians and Wellington businesses should know.
Dressing the City
Wellington is dressed – street banners are up around the central city, the Cave Troll is in Civic Square, Gollum is on the airport (and other characters are inside), Legolas’s arrow has pierced Molly Malones and the Fell Beasts are on top of the Embassy Theatre and Reading Cinemas. Retailers are also playing a part in dressing the city with The Lord of the Rings windows displays.
World Premiere Parade
On 1 December Wellington will make New Zealand movie making history with a tickertape parade featuring the cast, filmmakers and various civilisations from the trilogy. The parade leaves Parliament at 3.30pm and weaves its way through the central city arriving at the red carpet on Courtenay Place at approximately 4.30pm. Free tickertape is available Monday 1 December from Dymocks, Whitcoulls, Farmers, Kirkcaldie and Stains and New Zealand Post Shop, all on Lambton Quay.
Red Carpet
An extra long red carpet measuring 470 metres will be rolled out along Courtenay Place from Reading Cinemas to the Embassy Theatre.
Theatres
Over 2000 guests have been invited to view the first screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. To accommodate such large numbers, guests will be seated both in Reading Cinemas and the Embassy Theatre.
Large Outdoor Screens
Three large screens will feature live footage of the parade and red carpet activity. Two screens will be situated alongside the red carpet – one at the Embassy Theatre and the other at Reading Cinemas – and the third screen will be at Taranaki Wharf for those wanting to view proceedings in a more relaxed environment.
Grandstands
Four large grandstands on the edge of the red carpet will give members of the public an uninhibited view of the stars and VIPs. Grandstand seats are available for purchase through Ticketek for $100+GST plus booking charges.
Taranaki Wharf
Taranaki Wharf will play a central role in the city’s celebrations for the World Premiere. Celebrations at Taranaki Wharf begin on Sunday 30 November with a Drum Up Summer concert. They continue on Monday 1 December with a big screen, live broadcast of the World Premiere parade and red carpet activity. An After Parade Party – featuring a Ring of Fire event at 7.30pm and New Zealand’s first public, outdoor screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers at 9.30pm – continues the festivities at Taranaki Wharf once the red carpet activity is over.
Activities for Young People
As part of the build up to the World Premiere, Wellington City Council has run a Young Filmmakers Competition to find the next Peter Jackson.
Wellington City Libraries have run a Fantasy Film Awards competition. Judging of the hundreds of entries is currently underway and an award ceremony will be held on Friday 28 November at the Central Library. Wellington City Libraries are also running various The Lord of the Rings activities and workshops for young people. Information is available at www.wcl.govt.nz/kids/whatson.html
Road Closures and Parking Restrictions
Various road closures and parking restrictions will be put in place for the World Premiere. From 8pm Sunday 30 November until 6am Tuesday 2 December, all or parts of Cambridge Terrace, Courtenay Place, Kent Terrace, Allen Street and Blair Street will be affected by road closures. From midday until 6pm Monday 1 December, all or parts of Cuba Street, Lambton Quay, Manners Street, Mercer Street, Victoria Street, Wakefield Street, Willis Street will be affected by road closures.
On Monday 1 December there will also be parking restrictions on Courtenay Place, Cuba Street, Lambton Quay, Manners Street, Mercer Street, Wakefield Street and Willis Street.
Motorists are advised to check road signs for road closures and parking restrictions, Council advertisements in the Dominion Post or www.wcc.govt.nz/lotr.
