Folk music duo crank up Caboodle in Whanganui

Appalachian step dancing, banjos and broom dancing made the folk music duo from the United Kingdom a Caboodle performance worth watching.

The Old Time Rags kick-started the annual Vintage Weekend Caboodle on Saturday followed by buskers, retailer events and live entertainment spread across two stages.

Whanganui vintage queens Karen Craig and Jacki Aston, dressed in their Elizabethan costumes, had front row seats at the Majestic Square stage.

UK folk music duo, Old Time Rags, take stage at Majestic Square. Photo/ Bevan Conley

Ms Craig said the Old Time Rags had been travelling all over the world so it was a real treat to have them performing in Whanganui.

"They are just stunning, he's from Yorkshire and she's from Lancashire which of course you would never get together so it's pretty amazing," Ms Craig said.

Ms Aston said the atmosphere was just incredible and arguably the best caboodle Whanganui had ever seen.

Whanganui queens Karen Craig and Jacki Aston get front row seats to watch the Old Time Rags. Photo/ Bevan Conley

"There is just so many people in costume and the cars are just fantastic."

Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall was seated amongst the energetic crowd and said he had never seen Victoria Ave look so busy.

"To think this is just the start of three days is pretty spectacular."

Down at the Watt Fountain Stage, the atmosphere was just as vibrant with a beer tent set up on the street, kids dancing and everyone enjoying the sweet tunes.

The Caboodle aimed to have something for everyone: music, magic, fashion, poetry and games. It ran all afternoon on Saturday, despite the patches of light rain.

Bruce Jellyman (centre) conducts a brass band at Whanganui's Vintage Weekend Caboodle. Photo/ Bevan Conley