Taking in the sights and sounds

People watch during the New Zealand Goldpanning Championships 2025, held at the Alexandra Blossom Festival on Saturday. PHOTOS: ELLA JENKINS

Festival Prince Corey Miller looks regal on the St John and Eat Humble Pie ‘‘Lifeline Limo’’ float at the Grand Parade.

An Otago Southland Chinese Association dragon has a staring contest with one of the young spectators at the Grand Parade.

The streets of Alexandra’s Centennial Avenue were lined with spectators eager to watch the Grand Parade.

The massed pipe band wowed the crowd before the crowning ceremony.

Lyn and Barry McCall of the Combined Lions Clubs of Alexandra and Clyde celebrate winning the people’s choice float award for the club’s float celebrating 80 years of Thomas the Tank Engine.

Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPherson joins in singing Why Does Love Do This to Me? with Christchurch band Capitol City.

The 68th Blossom Festival was held in Alexandra over the weekend. Central Otago News reporter Ella Jenkins attended the festival for the first time.

Although I was born in Otago, I grew up in Canterbury, so I never really had the opportunity to attend the Blossom Festival growing up. It wasn’t until I took the reporter job in Alexandra that I was finally able to experience one.

Despite the less than ideal weather, the atmosphere was upbeat and you could sense the excitement building as people lined the streets for the Grand Parade.

The sights and the sound of the parade added colour to an otherwise gloomy day.

The upbeat atmosphere continued into Pioneer Park with live music, screams from the ride and the smells of the food on offer creating a wonderful environment. It was hard to stay focused on the task at hand, with so many sights to see.

I can finally say I took part in a Central Otago tradition, and I had a lot of fun doing so.