The Waimate Strawberry Fare drew a crowd of thousands as people from South Canterbury and North Otago sauntered into town for its annual celebration of the delectable summer fruit at the weekend.
On Saturday over 10,000 people in Seddon Square and neighbouring Boland Park enjoyed a taste of summer.
The Strawberry Fare has grown from just a handful of stalls at the inaugural event in 1984 to one which 40 years on now crowds Waimate’s two central parks — all in celebration of the district’s berry-growing heritage since 1880.
With plenty of interesting Christmas shopping and food options among more than 280 stalls, people were sampling summer bargains including the star of the show: Waimate strawberries.
By early afternoon a scramble was on to find something to take home as it became clear strawberry demand was outstripping supply.
Jeff Bruce, of Willowbridge Strawberries, said the season had certainly shaped up well for South Canterbury and promised to be even better by Christmas.
Lots of spring rain early on, with a cooler start to the growing season, was beginning to bear fruit, he said.
"It was cold to start, but now hot sunny weather is bringing on lots of flowering, lots of fruit.
"We’re quite happy with the quality.
"We should have good supplies for the Dunedin farmers market."
And with their many helpers, wife Andrea Bruce was frantically sorting freshly picked strawberries to meet the demand for quality fruit from lines of waiting punters.
She said strawberries were at their best when picked and eaten ripe from the field — noting that many offerings on sale in the supermarkets were picked too green to ensure an optimal flavour and sweetness experience.
"Fresh is good — you don’t keep them in the fridge, if you can avoid," Mrs Bruce said.
