The blossom has arrived on cue, setting the stage for one of the country's longest-running festivals.
Thousands of people are expected to converge on Alexandra today to watch the 59th annual Blossom Festival grand parade.
''Everything's looking wonderful and the blossom is at its peak, exactly on cue,'' festival chairwoman Clair Higginson said yesterday.
The parade through the town's main street, which starts at 11.45am, should be a riot of colour and sound with six competitive floats, about 20 decorated shopping trolleys (known as ''florreys''), and a procession of trucks, hot rods and classic cars all forming part of the display, Ms Higginson said.
The World Town Crier Tournament, being staged as part of the festival, had attracted about 20 entries and would add another dimension to the day.
''They'll add an international flavour, some colour and, of course, some sound to the parade and entertainment in Pioneer Park afterwards.''
The forecast was for a fine day.
''I'm hoping the odds are stacked in our favour and it'll be a perfect, fine day, with not too much wind.''
It was a shame the event clashed with the annual Port Chalmers Seafood festival this year but the organisers would sort out different dates so that did not happen again, she said.
Central Otago police sub-area supervisor Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said about 20 extra police would boost the ranks in Alexandra, and extra road police and highway police would also be based throughout the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes area, because of the increased volume of traffic.
''It's very much a family event and there's been no problems in recent years and the number of arrests have been low, so we're hoping that'll continue this year and everybody can enjoy themselves, '' he said.
Last night's activities included the Round the Clock Race and Mardi Gras followed by a fireworks display.
The race winners were: team, St Gerards; open, Breen; individuals, Ollie Yeoman, Mandy Wardill and Thomas O'Connor (11).
The festival finishes on October 10, with the Wool On Creative Fashion Event.
