Festival supporters giving generously

The Alexandra Blossom Festival has some money in the bank again, thanks to supporters who emptied their wallets to bail out the cash-strapped event.

A "whip-round" at Wednesday's public meeting in the town to decide the festival's future yielded $1152 for the festival's coffers, boosted by a further $500 cash donation from an Alexandra business, festival treasurer Mark Tait said.

Pledges of donations from other businesses and individuals total about $7500.

"That's all gone straight in the bank," he said yesterday. The festival losses over the past three years have totalled $134,451, with the 2009 event still owing creditors $81,920.

Wednesday's meeting was "crunch time", acting festival chairman Tim Cadogan said, and the public had given a clear message of support. More than 350 people attended and voted in favour of the Vincent Community Board offering either a loan or grant to ensure the continuation of the festival.

Central Otago Mayor Malcolm Macpherson said he was not surprised by the attendance.

"I would've been disappointed if it wasn't standing-room only. It wasn't a surprise, but it shows that people are engaged and do care ," he said.

There were few "naysayers" at the meeting and he was heartened by the number of young people in the crowd.

"Young families, teenagers and children were all in attendance and maybe we can take something from that. Maybe it indicates a changing of the guard and we can be encouraged that more young people will be involved in future festivals."

The event was worth millions to the district and it would be impossible to buy the national publicity generated by the festival, he said.

At its meeting on March 29, the board will decide whether to financially support the festival and if it should confirm the appointment of Mr Cadogan as festival chairman.

The Alexandra Blossom Festival Trust has offered what it described as a "significant amount" to the festival, to be used as a seeding fund for the event to continue.

It had more than $100,000 in the bank, but that fund was set up as insurance against a festival being rained out, so the money could not be used to pay off the festival debts.

- lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz