Venues & Events Whangarei's Rachel O'Gorman said the fee paid to the national acts was the only money that went outside the district.
"We have vendors ringing us up from all over the country wanting to have a stall ... But we keep it strictly local," she said.
Organising the festival was a 12-month marathon which started as soon as the gates closed on last year's event.
"Straight after we do a post-event survey where we ask what music people like, where they came from. The whole idea is around creating economic benefit for the district."
Last year's festival experienced an attendance boom up 25 per cent on 2014, injecting $1 million into Whangarei's economy.
As of Wednesday morning, nearly 4000 tickets to this year's event had sold, with at least another 1000 expected to go in the coming days and via door sales - which were more weather dependent. MetService says Saturday should bring showers to Whangarei with a high of 25C.
While the food and wine festival was primarily aimed at adults, a giant waterslide constructed on the north embankment was always a huge hit with younger festival-goers, Ms O'Gorman said. Alcohol consumption would be managed through water at every stall, a red/yellow card system and a "chill out" room for people deemed to need a break from drinking.
- Fritter Festival runs 11am until 7pm at Toll Stadium. Tickets at http://bit.ly/1UeJXvR, Forum North or on the gate.
