IF you've got something to celebrate, why don't you? And why not invite a few hundred, probably thousand, people along to celebrate with you?
This is the thinking of the people in Ottery St Mary, who, as everyone knows, are always looking for an excuse for a knees-up.
It recently dawned on the foodies of the town, and the business owners, that Ottery has so much to celebrate when it comes to eating and drinking they should really make a bit of a thing about it.
So they got their heads together and came up with the inaugural Ottery St Mary Food and Families Festival.
The event has attracted the prestige of support from Taste of the West. And, it's caught the attention of celebrity East Devon chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. He is writing the foreword for a recipe book by pupils of two local primary schools being put together for the occasion.
With an emphasis on local produce, the event will include a market on Mill Street, cookery demonstrations including River Cottage chefs, entertainment and a bar in a large marquee in Sainsbury's car park.
Food and drink retailers including pubs, restaurants, cafés in the town are all getting involved.
Another novel idea will be pop-up shops in vacant premises.
The not-for-profit event will most definitely tap into the already strong community spirit in the town.
"There is a rich offering in the town – there are lots of things happening here to do with food and drink and we thought that needed celebrating," says Ruud Jansen Venneboer of Mazzard Farm holiday cottages, who is one of the event organisers.
Ruud was the one to "drop the seed" of the original idea, and then through word of mouth the others came on board.
"The event is very much a community event," he continues. "But it's also about encouraging visitors in, who may not have thought about coming to Ottery before, for them to come and discover what we have on offer here and giving the businesses a boost."
But although emphasising the mix of independent food and drink businesses, Sainsbury's, which came to the town amid a very mixed reaction in 2011, is also involved.
"The initial fear was that Sainsbury's would kill the town," explains Ruud. "It has had an impact and some businesses have closed, but others, including a greengrocers and fish monger and restaurants, have opened.
"When the whole notion of Sainsbury's came about, opinion was divided, but they're here and here to stay with around 17,000 customers a week – and we want to make sure the rest of the businesses in the town benefit from this."
Events will include cook-offs between River Cottage HQ head chef Gill Meller and former River Cottage Canteen head chef Tim Maddams, who will be pitched against Robin Rea, founder of the Rusty Pig charcuterie and café-restaurant in the town who is also a River Cottage chef.
The event has received funding from Making it Local and is sponsored by Everys Solicitors.
Local youngsters will also be playing a part in the festival, with a Children's Recipe competition for children at Ottery St Mary and West Hill primary schools culminating in the publishing of the aforementioned recipe book.
"Being the first event, we thought we should keep it compact," continues Ruud, who was tentative about the mention of thousands rather than hundreds of visitors, given that it's the first event of its kind in the town.
"But then as it developed and more people wanted to get involved, it spread."
And instead of being confined to just one day, the event spills over either side with several fringe events including a food safari event on the Friday evening, where diners will be able to enjoy different tapas-style courses at different venues.
And the parish church is hosting a Miss Marple-style afternoon tea the following day on Sunday, June 2.
"What's nice is that businesses are really coming together, whereas in the past business owners may not have known each other," adds Ruud.
The Rusty Pig's Robin, 36, added: "The whole ethos is about keeping it local. Supporting local producers and businesses isn't just good for the town, its residents and the local economy, but is good for environment – shoppers know where their food has come from and keep food miles low.
"The reaction has been really positive."
Tickets for the food safari are £30 available from The Rusty Pig by calling 01404 815580.
For more information about the festival visit the event Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ OtteryStMaryFoodFamiliesFestival