Enjoying playing with miniature horse Little White Socks at the Festival of the Plain Party in the Park are Hasse Coberger (3, left) and Erynn Verlinden (9), in Mosgiel yesterday.
They were among about 2500 people who turned out for the family-oriented occasion.
Event chairman Ian Chalmers said it was the "biggest show we've had out here" and the crowd was a happy one.
Along with food and wine stalls, Ronald McDonald was on hand to entertain children, as well as fire engine rides, bouncy castles and bands.
Stall numbers had grown by one third on last year, including some run by people who had travelled from Canterbury after markets closed in the region, he said.
Coming festival events include a quarter-mile sprint on Wednesday, and Raise it Up: a Taieri Youth Showcase on Thursday.