The temperature was 13degC at 7am but plummeted to 3degC by 9am as the storm arrived.
Heavy rain that turned to snow cloaked the surrounding hills with a white mantle and organisers decided to delay the start of the floral parade by an hour.
Luckily the rain stopped as quickly as it had started and by 1pm the last remaining clouds were heading north.
Several thousand people who arrived in time for a noon start were philosophical about the delay.
One couple said they were quite happy to sit and wait as people had put an enormous amount of time into preparing the floats.
The parade began with a more than 50 big rigs from throughout Otago and Southland parading down Centennial Ave.
Terrace Distributors, of Alexandra, won the Star of the Show with its newest truck.
The trucks were followed by the opening speeches by festival chairman Steve Battrick and Contact Energy operations manager Graham Quinn.
Then it was time for the 16 dressed floats and vintage cars to parade, interspersed with marching teams and pipe bands.
The crowd, which was down on last year, seemed to enjoy the parade, although it seemed more subdued than last year.
The HQ Events Saturday in the Park in Pioneer Park, following the floral procession, was very well attended with plenty of action and stalls and an activity stage for entertainment.
The large marquee also featured continuous entertainment, with Elgregoe the magician drawing a large crowd.
The afternoon was capped off with the announcement of Alexandra Ice Skating Club princess Vanessa Hooykas as blossom queen.
First runner-up was Emily Campbell (Central Otago WasteBusters) and Ashleigh Anderson (Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade) was second runner-up.
The Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade won the people's choice float after being runner-up for several years.
Its float, "Bee Movie", was also judged best floral float. Promote Dunstan won the best interpretation of theme float. The most innovative float prize went to the Alexandra Rotary Club. Cooney's Footwear claimed the prize for best-dressed window.
