Bumper crowd lining up for Fritter Festival

Having Kiwi music legend Dave Dobbyn is believed to have helped sell a high number of tickets for Saturday's Fritter Festival in Whangarei

Ticket sales for the Whangarei Fritter Festival this weekend are significantly higher than they were at the corresponding time last year.

Saturday's festival is only in its third year but the word has spread and promises to bring local, national and international visitors to Whangarei to enjoy music, fritters, food and wine.

"Ticket sales are up by 1000 more than what they were this time last year. We're anticipating a crowd of 4500 to 5000. Last year we had 4000. Pre-sales are really strong," said Whangarei Venue and Events manager John Lynch.

Mr Lynch said securing Kiwi singer-songwriter Dave Dobbyn may have contributed to the strong ticket sales. "Dave Dobbyn is our headlining act. He goes on at 5.45pm and finishes at 7pm. We also have 1814, Tempist Fujit, Tahuna Breaks and more."

Tickets would still be available on the day as 1000 had been printed specifically for gate sales.

Mr Lynch said having such an event in Whangarei was "hugely exciting".

"It's immensely satisfying. It's all about showcasing Northland and our food and wine. We do surveys and last year 20 per cent were from Auckland 5 per cent were from the rest of New Zealand and 1 per cent were international visitors."

Cookbook author and MasterChef New Zealand winner Chelsea Winter would be on hand trying around 55 fritters from local cafes and restaurants as this year's celebrity judge. "I mean Chelsea Winter is pretty excited. She'll be doing a cookbook signing and she's been telling people to come and get selfies with her," said Mr Lynch.

New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Northland chief executive officer Tony Collins said it was particularly exciting bringing Aucklanders to town.

"I think it's fantastic. It changes people's perspective of Northland because that's a problem that people think of Northland negatively sometimes."

For ticket sales visit http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2015/whangarei-fritter-festival/whangarei