Local food vendors have been given top billing in this month's Mainstreet Whanganui Food Fiesta.
And it's the perfect excuse to come to town and try new foods during the winter months, event manager Kelly Scarrow says.
The five-day fiesta started on Tuesday and has two main events - a street food fiesta with 13 stalls in Majestic Square on Thursday night and more stalls and a cooking competition at the same place Friday morning.
Mainstreet received criticism earlier this year for excluding local vendors.
But on Thursday local providers were given priority. Out of towners were invited to fill in any gaps. There were 13 stalls, with offerings including Indonesian food, pizza, Spanish doughnuts and gourmet sandwiches.
Entertainment of "American songbook"-type melodies was provided by the band Swinganui.
Three of the out-of-town stalls are staying over until Saturday. They will be joined by others and impromptu entertainment from 9.30am til 2.30pm in the square.
From 10am to noon the Kiwi Kids Can Cook competition will take place on the square's stage. Children under 12 will be judged on their skills and flavours.
Mrs Scarrow has been told what they will cook.
"Their passion around food was really inspiring, at that young age," she said.
It's a New Zealand Chefs Association competition and the two winners will be flown to the national competition in Auckland.
While the fiesta is on 30 cafes, restaurants, bakeries and homeware stores in town will be offering specials, including Turkish food at Stellar Bar & Restaurant and Spanish food at Delicious Cafe & Wine Bar.