The Blossom Festival committee were delighted with Alexandra retailers’ efforts to create colourful window displays celebrating spring as a part of the town’s annual weekend of fun.

The Bain cup is awarded to the winning outlet for the best dressed Blossom Festival window. 

This year Blossom Queen from 2022 Claudia Hammond and Festival chairperson Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay judged window displays around town on Wednesday, September 20, and the winners were named at a prize giving on Saturday at Pioneer Park. 

The winning windows were: first equal to House of Travel Alexandra and Alexandra Community House (ACH) and runner up was Kiwi Milk Bar.

Allsorts featured in House of Travel Alexandra’s display.  

ACH’s window display with a bike and a blossom covered dress.

Staff within the social support organisations at ACH collaborated to put together their display. 

Kiwi Milk Bar owner Debbie Pollock said she designed her window on her own based on her memories of Blossom Festival. 

Daffodils, carousel horses and pink blossoms adorn Kiwi Milk Bar.

A special mention goes to Central Interiors who created their own princess ‘Melody’ in their window, and had to rush over to Queenstown at the last minute to get material for her dress. 

Melody in her window at Central Interiors.

Central Interiors office manager Dawn Sutherland said it was a team effort from Tanya, Grant, her daughter-in-law, son and grandchildren to get the display together using wallpaper, crepe paper flowers, model Melody and a backdrop used previously in Christmas displays. 

“We know the locals loved it, so that is the main thing. Seeing everyone love it as they walk past is what it’s all about, that and bringing joy to the community and life to the window displays is what drives us.

Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPherson said the overall aesthetic and use of traditional handmade crepe paper flowers were factors the judges considered. 

Other displays were created by BDO and Colliers, Central Sports Depot, Checketts McKay Law, Cooneys, Jamies Jewellers, Paper Plus and Urban Edge Hair Design. 

This year there were about 20 windows entered, an increase from last years’ 13 entrants. 

The final shout out in connection with Blossom Festival is to the Alexandra’s Grans who recently featured on Seven Sharp.

PHOTOS: The Central App/Supplied