The third annual Lauder Ukulele Festival will take over its village green from tomorrow until Monday.
Committee member Barry Bemrose said the performers hailed from all over the South Island and the quality had ''really improved'' over the years.
''It's nice to see,'' he said. "They'll all be practising madly before coming to Lauder.''
Last year, about 60 to 70 people had registered to play at the event, with more turing up on the weekend.
This year it was almost double that, he said.
''And that's not including the crowd, which will be a few hundred more.''
More than 200 people had signed up to the workshops on Saturday and Sunday.
Mr Bemrose had a word to say to anyone who thought the ukulele was a toy.
''Well let's see you play well with that toy.
''People often think Tiny Tim and Tip Toe Through The Tulips. It's easy to learn three basic chords, but it's just as difficult as any other instrument to play really well.''
Some of the proceeds from the first two events helped fund the project of moving the Lauder Railway Station to near its original location on the Otago Central Rail Trail, which was completed in October.
Organising committee member Bruce Macdonald said painting and landscaping was ongoing and funds would go towards that.
Lauder locals and various community groups and sponsors had ''gone out of their way'' to help with the festival, he said.
It begins tomorrow night with a jam at the Lauder Hotel and will continue on Saturday with workshops and performances.
The main event will begin at 11.30am Sunday and continue into the night, with an optional buffet dinner.
It will conclude with a brunch and jam at the hotel on Waitangi Day morning.
