Victorian Fete co-ordinator Frances Mcmillan said she hoped this year’s fete was "going to be the best year yet".
"It’s the start of our busy season, it’s the start of tourism in the region — it’s kind of the first big day where there are heaps of people," she said.
"It’s [already] starting — I think it’s going to be one of the busiest seasons yet; it’s going to be good."
And while Ms Mcmillan was still looking for some additional volunteers for the fete day, there would be no stopping the roughly 3000 to 5000 people cramming into the closed sections of Wansbeck, Tyne and Harbour Sts on November 20.
"We’re keeping it quite simple this year and focusing on quality rather than quantity," she said.
With more than 110 stallholders, two types of stilt walkers, marionette puppets, a juggler, a magician, face-painting and a clown, the crowds should find something to entertain them.
And "all the same favourites" were returning for the competitions: the World Stone Sawing Championship, the beard and moustache competition, and the gurning, whistling and pipe-smoking competitions would let punters participate.
A music lover, Ms Mcmillan was looking forward to having Tahu and the Takahes, from Dunedin, and Develish Mary and the Holy Rollers, from Christchurch, take the stage. And all she required for a successful fete, in her first year as an organiser, was "a sunny day".
