The night market was sparked by what members of the association had seen successfully operating in Rotorua and Hamilton.
The decision to set one up to celebrate all that was colourful and tasty about Hawke's Bay was made back in July.
Association manager Susan McDade said she was confident it would work as a lot of time had gone into the selection of the 40 stalls which were set up late yesterday under eye-catching and smart canopies funded by the Hastings District Council.
As well, there had been 2500 hits on the Facebook site about the market in just over a fortnight.
"I knew it would work and it has," she said as people continued to make their way into the pedestrian stretch of Heretaunga St beside the fountain.
"To see people enjoying themselves is just really good."
The selection of stalls was set up as a third of them for food, a third for produce and a third for arts and crafts.
Along with the aromas there was also live music in the air.
The mix got the thumbs-up from the public and the stallholders, some of whom were blown away by the response they got.
Brendon Lovell from Brendocs Cafe and Catering went through 50kg of prime ribs even before 6pm and ran out of lamb shanks and buffalo wings.
"Oh yeah, we'll be bringing more next week," he said.
For Kevin Mawson from Krismaw Gardens there was no hesitation on setting up for the market.
"It's an excellent thing to do - I'm sold on it," he said as more customers rolled up for fresh broccoli and tomatoes.
Sally Davenport, who was kept busy sprinkling spices and seasonings from The Original Smoke and Spice Co into the palms of interested passersby, also had no hesitation in being part of it.
"This is a marvellous thing for Hastings and the potential is enormous."
For the cheerful wandering public there was everything from kebabs, smoked fish, chai, paella, ice cream, cupcakes, fudge and coffee.
And there were hats, sheepskin booties, flowers, model crafts, jewellery, and decorative planters ... and "make a doggy with a balloon" with instructions of course.
That caught the eye of Kelvin Allan from Twyford whose eight-year-old daughter Caitlin had to have one.
"This is so good for the inner city and there's a really great atmosphere to it."
John and Margaret Harding from Hastings were also impressed by what they saw.
"We heard about it and decided to come and take a look. It's very well done and it's a good positive thing for the city." Mr Harding said.
And for two women, Michelle and Andrea, who had just finished work nearby, it was well worth checking out.
"Very nice," Andrea said.
"Especially the twisted chips ... we couldn't go past them."
