The annual Manfeild fireworks event – held in perfect weather last night – could be permanently shifted to a pre-Christmas date instead of early November.
Feilding Promotion manager Helen Worboys said after last night's Manawatu Fireworks Spectacular organisers would look at staging it at a similar time next year.
Unsettled weather during early summer has forced the event's postponement to nearer Christmas several times in recent years, including this year.
There was a better weather pattern near Christmas, Mrs Worboys said, as well as the opportunity to have a Christmas-themed event.
Last year's show attracted about 20,000 people and Mrs Worboys estimated a similar number attended this year's event.
Coffee stall owner Maxine Gore felt sales were a bit down on last year. 
Palmerston North woman Sam Judd said the Christmas timing made it harder for her family to attend, but she had made a promise to her son Zac Soper, 8.
Going to the fireworks was a family tradition, she said.
Her partner Brian Pawson said it was the first time he had been to a fair since he was a child.
Jan Avison – a recent arrival to Palmerston North after living in a motor home with husband Ron for 3 1/2 years – said it had been a beautiful day.
Mrs Avison felt the night was a bit drawn out, however.
"It's a long time for the kids to wait."
The fireworks display, run by the Kairanga Lions Club, started and finished with a bang, shortly after 10pm.
Thousands of people crammed the circuit on the cool night to watch the impressive 20-minute display.
Elder Walker, 20, a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the fireworks were amazing.
Based in Feilding, he has another year left on his mission before he returns to Florida in the United States.