It was a quintessential Hawke's Bay evening: warm weather, fresh produce, local wine and the added bonus of a fat, jolly man in a sleigh.
Locals soaked up the relaxed atmosphere at the one-off Christmas Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market last night, making the most of the 35 vendors at the A& P Showgrounds' Waikoko Gardens.
The promise of gourmet gifts, fresh produce and artisan foodstuffs proved too much for some, who arrived about 45 minutes before the markets opened.
Long-time Hastings resident and regular market-goer Steven Nichols was stocking up on fresh produce and taking in the live music. "I think it's wonderful. I've been to a few markets around the country and you don't get anything like this," he said.
It was the first time Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market had run a special pre-Christmas event. Market co-ordinator Emma Glover said judging from the night's success, it certainly won't be the last.
