Alexandra Blossom Festival organisers have announced a raft of new incentives for float entries this year in recognition of the extra pressures groups and organisations have been under during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Float entries are now open for this year’s festival, the 65th, in September.

The grand parade, with its array of floats running through the heart of Alexandra, has been a cornerstone of New Zealand’s longest running festival.

“The Blossom Festival is a celebration of change of season and a colourful reminder that we live in paradise,’ ’Alexandra Blossom Festival chair Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said.

She said the committee recognised the additional pressure businesses clubs, schools, kindergartens and businesses had experienced the past two years and wanted to help make it easier for them to participate.

The Alexandra Blossom Festival committee will donate $750 to clubs, schools and kindergartens entering a float, while private businesses and others will be able to choose a charity for the committee to donate to on their behalf (with some terms and conditions).

The new incentives are in addition to support already in place for floats, including $500 towards materials to build a float and free crepe paper supplied from Alexandra New World.

Entrants also receive free entry into Pioneer Park for Contact’s Saturday in the Park.

“We have the most generous business community - whenever there has been a need I have seen them step up to help,” Sharleen said. “This is our way of supporting them to continue to give to groups that they are passionate about supporting.”

“Times are tough, it is such a fabulous opportunity that we have to help businesses to still support charities that matter to them, and by having a float in the parade, it’s a way of celebrating our business community.’’

Entries are also in the running for money from a prize pool, including $2,000 for the People's Choice Award; $1,000 for Best Floral Float; $500 for Best Small Float; $1,000 for Best School Float; and $500 for Best Contemporary Float.

Alexandra business Eat Humble Pie has entered a float the past three years, and is currently building this year's float. Eat Humble Pie owner Sue Rowsell said floats and florreys (their smaller counterparts) are a wonderful way for local community groups and clubs to be involved in the festival. 

Sue said the experience of float building “became a real community collaboration”, was good team building, and a fun way to meet new people.

“It’s really good promotion for your business and if you can spare a little bit of time it’s really worth doing it,” she said.

Sue challenged other businesses to get involved and enter a float for the 65th festival.