The 2024 Contact Saturday in the Park was a huge success with more than 15,000 people attending.

Bands The QFO Experiment, Paul Foulds Band, Jody Direen, rocked the crowd, before an emotional kapa haka performance by Central Otago primary school pupils stole the limelight.

Simon Green’s Neil Diamond Tribute “A Solitary Man" and Highland Storm rounded out the night with everyone up on their feet dancing and singing.

The crowd rang out in support as two historic firsts took place: joint winners for the highly anticipated 2024 Blossom Crown - and the Festival's first ever Blossom King.

Blossom Royalty . . .

From left 2024 Alexandra Blossom Festival King Nate Alexander, 16, 1st Runner Up Kimberley Dacosta, 16, and Alexandra Blossom Festival Queen Lily Kain, 16.

PHOTO: CLARE TOIA-BAILEY / IMAGE CENTRAL

There was not a dry eye in sight as the pair were announced, with fellow contestants jumping up to congratulate them.