Despite it quite literally raining on the parade, organisers said the atmosphere was "incredible" at the 2025 Alexandra Blossom Festival on Saturday.
Festival event manager Martin McPherson said he was stoked the weather did not dampen spirits.
Despite the drizzle and the chilly weather, people flocked to line Alexandra’s Centennial Ave to watch the traditional and colourful grand parade.
The sounds of sirens, car engines and truck horns could be heard echoing throughout the town as a procession of vehicles of all shapes and sizes led the way.
Following close behind were an assortment of eye-catching floats, which added splashes of colour to the otherwise gloomy weather.
After the parade, the crowds packed Pioneer Park to enjoy the live music, food and activities on offer — audiences being wowed by Chinese dragon dancers and the massed pipe band made up of pipers from around the South Island.
The rain finally stopped and the sun began to shine on festival-goers early in the afternoon.
Blossom festival deputy chairman Ian Gare said it was really satisfying to see the community together, celebrating the end of winter.
For organisers, work on the next festival would begin in two weeks, he said.
Crowds flocked to the festival stage eagerly awaiting the results of the people’s choice float award and who would be crowned festival queen.
The people’s choice float award was won by the Combined Lions Clubs of Alexandra and Clyde for their float celebrating the 80th anniversary of children’s character Thomas the Tank Engine.
In the main event, Andrea Javier, 22, representing the Central Otago Filipino Community, was crowned the Blossom Festival Queen for 2025, the first Filipino to do so in the festival’s 58-year history.
Miss Javier said it was really good to represent her community and to see them marching alongside her in the grand parade and cheering for her when she was crowned queen.
Despite the cold weather, she was "warm inside" from the support of her community, she said.
First and second runnerup queens were Keira McFayden, 17, representing the Central Otago Maternity Unit and Olave Czeponski, 17, representing Pioneer Energy.
After the crowning, the crowds continued to enjoy the music, Mr McPherson getting up on stage to sing alongside Christchurch band Capitol City, who were keeping the festivities going throughout the afternoon.
Sergeant Adam Elder, of Alexandra, said on the whole people were well behaved.
Despite a few issues with people breaching the region’s liquor ban, as well as one arrest for disorderly behaviour, Saturday went fine for police, he said
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