People in Alexandra wake up to the sounds of Blossom Festival as early as Friday morning (September 26).

The first signs are often the cars that arrive in town - classics all, with their trademark engine sounds revving, rumbling and rattling down the main street.

By Friday night the music from Pioneer Park has started at the side shows, and over at the Linger and Die there are daredevil motorbike riders - the FMX antics of Freestyle NZ.

It’s not often you’ll find motorbike riders throwing themselves upside down in the same place as illuminated fairies wandering around the crowd, but that's the Blossom Festival yin with the yang.

The Alexandra Blossom Festival is the biggest event of the year for the town, and brings people from far and wide.

The hoons still come from Southland, South Otago and Dunedin, but the rules are much stricter now. Anyone with a car too lowered, too loud, or full of passengers drinking booze are usually sent packing. It’s more of a family atmosphere these days.  

The hillside under the Alexandra clock on the hill lit up from the installations at the Mardi Gras on Friday night.

Meanwhile, at the Mardi Gras, Paul Foulds entertained on the small stage, and children delighted in walking amongst the garden bed of sunflowers, and climbing on the inflatable animals.

An impressive fireworks display was set off after dusk, with many viewing opportunities from the lookout above Alexandra or at the top of the Ferris Wheel in the park, if you timed it right.

Soon after everybody packed up and went home - ready for the big day on Saturday.  

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