Let's be honest, sometimes Whangarei isn't the classiest place, especially for a young person. Those who frequent the city centre's attempt at a nightclubbing scene will know what I mean.
Many young people engage in the habit of pre-loading alcohol so that everything seems funnier and drunken antics come to the fore. Venture out and you'd expect to be verbally abused, have plenty of hearty yarns with old friends, and probably even be groped by a cougar or two and apparently that's a good night out.
Having seen clubs and pubs around the world, I can safely say weekends out in Whangarei "town" aren't all that exciting.
But, the Fritter Festival has given me hope. A festival of its nature is a positive thing for our youth to see.
A festival which has such a spread of ages, all there for the same purpose of enjoying the local food and wine while having a bit of a dance, is healthy.