The Timaru couple had tried to see New Zealand soul singer Hollie Smith four times, in various parts of the country, but for various reasons, had never managed to do so.
Smith was the headline act at the festival yesterday in the Oamaru Public Gardens, and they decided to make the trip south to see her.
It was their first time at the festival and they were relaxing on the grass at the front of the several-thousand-strong crowd, hoping to be close to the action when Smith came onstage.
The atmosphere was relaxed in the picturesque and sheltered area of the gardens, with 51 stalls selling everything from manuka-smoked eggs and German bratwurst to strawberries and lamb shanks, pinot noir and iced coffee.
Bevan Smith, from Riverstone Kitchen, Michael Coughlin, from St Clair Beach Resort, and Steve Le Corre, who was trained at Aoraki Polytechnic, all gave cooking demonstrations
