A focus on local entertainment marks the return of the Wine and Food Festival to the Oamaru events calendar, after last year's was not held while the organisation was revamped.
Festival co-ordinator Matt Haywood yesterday said tickets had already gone on sale, although he was unsure how many had been sold.
However, with a limit of 2000 on the Oamaru Gardens venue, people were urged not to wait until the day, while at the same time saving themselves money.
Some festivals in the past had been sold out, including the biggest crowd of about 3500 for Gin Wigmore. But the cost of bringing big stars, along with the risk, prompted the committee to return to the roots of the original festival which featured local entertainment.
On March 15, that would include The Pohas, Shaun Todd, Cranking Amps, Rock Bottom, Bedfords, Spotless and Vanessa Kelly.
Waitaki Valley wines will be on the menu, including Birdlands, Ostler and Pasquale, with Oamaru's own Scott's Brewery joining the craft beers for the first time.
Bookings have been received for 36 stalls, although there could be room ''for a couple more, if people were keen'', Mr Haywood said.
Apart from the food on offer, there will be cooking demonstrations by Brydone Hotel head chef Joel London, Northstar's award-winning chef Pablo Tacchini, partner in Shared Plate Tanya Halcrow and Aoraki Polytechnic tutor Steve Le Corre.
The venue for the festival, with premier sponsors Dixon Homes and the Oamaru Licensing Trust, provided a ''fantastic location for a great day out'', he said.
