Organisers of the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival say an extra $5000 has been spent on advertising this year after a hoax text message claimed the event was cancelled.
A message circulating in recent weeks says 20th Wild Foods Festival on this Saturday has been called off, and asks people to pass the message on.
Organiser Mike Keenan says the Hokitika festival is a community fundraiser and he's disappointed someone would try to harm it.
He says Westland District Council usually spends up to $40,000 advertising the event, but it's had to spend an extra $5000 this year.
Mr Keenan told Morning Report the text seems to have originated in Canterbury.
He said the event usually makes the community $150,000.
