Thousands flocked to Pukeora Estate in Central Hawke's Bay this year for an annual celebration which showcased some of New Zealand's finest cuisine, wine, art, music and crafts.
"The Festival 2010" ran from Thursday to Sunday and was a great success, said Pukeora Estate director and marketing manager Kate Norman.
"It was
wonderful, we were really lucky" she said.
People could take their pick from 115 stalls, view art exhibitions, sample top notch food and wine or drop by for Friday's music concert which featured country band The Warratahs.
Those who like it hot attended the Great Ypuk Chilli Cook-off in Waipukurau's main street on Saturday.
The rain stayed away and 6000-7000 people came through the doors during the four days.
This year there were some different features, with fireworks after the concert and all new paintball art, where professional Hawke's Bay artists fired paint-filled pellets at a board to create original artworks.
"It is a work in progress, next year we will use canvas - it was just neat to try something new," Ms Norman said.
Discussions and planning for next year's festival will start just before Christmas.
