Entries for the 67th Alexandra Blossom Festival grand parade on Saturday September 28 are open.
Organisers issued a statement last week inviting groups and clubs to enter a float or florrey in the parade.
This year, a change to entry conditions for floral floats allowed smaller entries to be in the running for prize money, with the prize pool for contemporary floats increased, the statement said.
A runner-up prize for educational floats has also been introduced.
Not only was the grand parade a cornerstone event of the Blossom Festival, it was also a fundraising opportunity for the community, the statement said.
The Alexandra Blossom Festival committee would donate $750 to clubs, schools and kindergartens entering a float, with private businesses and others able to choose a charity for the committee to donate to on their behalf.
However, some terms and conditions did apply.
This was on top of support already in place for floats, including $500 towards the materials to build a float and free crepe paper supplied from Alexandra New World.
Entrants also receive free entry into Pioneer Park for the Saturday in the Park event.
On a smaller scale florreys, a miniature float designed around a New World shopping trolley, were a great way to be involved in the grand parade when building a full float was not an option.
Florreys were perfect for families, smaller community groups and children.
This year each florrey entry would receive a $50 New World voucher, and prizes for the top three placings.
Float entry forms could be downloaded from www.blossom.co.nz
Florrey entries could also be collected from Alexandra New World. Entries closed Friday, 9 August.
