If you have never played rugby and you want to know what it feels like being mixed up in a rolling maul, then Thieves' Alley was the place to be today.
Dunedin City Council community events co-ordinator Marilyn Anderson said up to 30,000 people were expected at the annual market day, and Bath St (also known as Thieves' Alley) would again be the focus of the event.
"It's a bit like being in the middle of a rugby maul.
"My advice is to give yourself plenty of time. Don't rush it, because if you're in a rush, you're going to get impatient and you're not going to see everything, and you're going to miss out on things.
"Take a deep breath, be nice and relaxed, and just enjoy it, because it does get very congested.''
The market day also covered the Octagon and the four streets which branch out to Moray Pl - upper and lower Stuart St, Princes St and George St.
Ms Anderson said there would be 280 stallholders, some from as far north as Hamilton, Tauranga and Whitianga, selling "just about everything that you could possibly want''.
One of the changes from previous years was the large stage which was usually set up in the lower Octagon, would be set up in the upper Octagon this year, so people could enjoy live music on the grassy area.
That would make space for the lower Octagon to be turned into an international food court, she said.
"You can try it, taste it, sniff it, touch it, listen to it and buy it. If you want it, I'm sure we've got it. It's a day to satisfy all your senses.''
Ms Anderson said the market day officially started at 10am and was expected to finish about 4pm.
