Wellingtonians are invited to join a procession of street performers in the lead-up to the street celebrations on 19 December for the Australasian premiere of The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring.

The Courtenay Place celebrations will begin with a procession from Civic Square, down Cuba and Manners Streets then into Courtenay Place.

The procession will arrive in Courtenay Place just before 5.00pm, signalling the start of the celebrations, which will feature Kiwi band The Mutton Birds.

Mark Blumsky, who is co-ordinating the Rings celebrations on behalf of the City Council and the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency, reckons the procession is a great way for Wellington’s Tolkien fans and more extroverted residents to get involved.

“We’ll have drummers, dancers, knights in armour, a street band and all sorts of colourful costumed characters in the procession.

“This is a chance for anyone who ever wanted to be a hobbit, a dwarf or an elf to dress up and be part of something that’s not just important to Wellington, but to Rings fans all over the world.”

Participants in the procession must register beforehand and will gather at Civic Square at 4.00pm on the day.

The first 250 participants will receive refreshment vouchers as an added incentive to join in.

Call Roger on 021 436 702 or 586 3635, or James on 021 801 644 to register.