What's on: 5000 punters expected to enjoy fritters, drinks, and music at Whangarei Fritter Festival

Michael Walker and Rodney Johnston enjoy last year's Whangarei Fritter Festival. Photo/Michael Cunningham

If your mouth waters at the idea of spending a day feasting on fritters and sipping on cold beverages - you might want to head to the Whangarei Fritter Festival.

The sixth annual event is back at Toll Stadium tomorrowwith 15 local cafes and restaurants serving up fritters.

Rachel O'Gorman, marketing and events team leader at Venue and Events Whangarei, said 5000 punters were expected.

"The first year we had 3600 and now we're up into the 5000s so it has grown over the years. It's become that signature event that everyone really looks forward to coming to.

"People like to bring their friends from out of town to the festival and a lot of people were talking about it down the line."

Salmonella Dub, Elemeno P and Strangely Arousing are the three headliner acts while Mermaid Bait, Str8 Up, Furious 3 and Kyle Fury will also perform.

This year all acts will perform on the same stage.

Meanwhile new restaurants and cafes joining the festival include The Quay, No.8, Burger Bank, Cabbage Tree Cafe, Rascals Cafe and Powerplant. Those returning are Absolute Caterers, Cafe Jerusalem, Cafe Divine, Fat Camel, Killer Prawn, Shiraz, The Apprentice (NorthTec), The Butter Factory and Vintage Market Deli.

"It's a local festival so every single thing that we spend money on is local apart from the three headliners we use as drawcards, and the celebrity chef. Everything else is local.

"We have so many [cafes and restaurants] that ring up saying 'please can we come to the festival' from out of Northland, and we tell them that the strategy from day one has been about promoting Whangarei and promoting Northland," Ms O'Gorman said.

There are two top awards at the event - the Best Fritter Trophy and Pak'nSave People's Choice Award.

One of New Zealand's most respected food writers Ray McVinnie, who has been a judge on My Kitchen Rules NZ and MasterChef NZ, will be judging the best fritter.

Winners of the Best Fritter Trophy and the Pak'nSave People's Choice Award will be announced by Ray McVinnie at 5.30pm before festival headliners Salmonella Dub take the stage.

There will be door sales on the day.

For more information visit facebook.com/fritter.festival