The Alexandra Thyme Festival was officially opened by Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper at Central Stories museum yesterday afternoon.
Though some workshops such as pizza oven building had taken place on Saturday, people gathered at the town museum to enjoy local music, wine and canapes.
As the theme of the festival is cherishing the environment, events are based around arts or sustainability.
"The whole idea is to stir the creative juices," festival co ordinator Kathi McLean said.
Festival committee member Clair Higginson said the basis of arts and sustainability remained "but we hear what people say from last year and try to incorporate that".
This year several events were aimed at men, including a trout and salmon filleting class, Beer and Bunnies - a beer brewing, and rabbit-skinning and stewing class, and a tour of men's sheds, she said.
Events range in price from free to $85 and include art and craft workshops, cooking, dance and drumming classes, and walks around historical areas.
