‘Don’t rain on my parade’, organisers of the Alexandra Blossom Festival would have been thinking around 12:15pm on Saturday (September 27).

It was certainly four seasons in one day for the 68th annual festival, but the sunshine came just when it was needed, and didn’t put off people flocking into Pioneer Park to watch the afternoon’s entertainment.

Festival organiser Martin McPherson even made a cameo appearance on the main stage, singing an Exponents classic to the crowd with one of the bands.

Former Southlander Jackie Bristow, fresh from a tour of Europe, teamed up with Barry Saunders to kick off the music, with sister Katrina joining her on the stage.

The 2025 Blossom Queen was awarded to Andrea Javier of the Filipino Community in Central Otago. First runner up was Olave Czepanski, and second runner-up Keira McFadyen.

Andrea said being in the competition opened up her eyes to a whole new world, and the others were a joy to be with.

“I had fun and talked to a lot of people,” she said, about her time as a festival princess. “It has been great.”

Blossom Festival Queen Andrea Javier. Photo: The Central App

This was the third year a male prince had entered - Cory Miller representing St John Youth and Eat Humble Pie. The first time a prince entered was in 2017, and Nate Alexander was crowned King and Queen Lily Kain Queen as joint winners in 2024.

Blossom Royalty . . . From left 2nd Runner Up Keira McFadyen 17, Alexandra Blossom Festival Queen Andrea Javier 22, and 1st Runner Up Olave Czepankski 17. Photo: Image Central

Despite what TVNZ Breakfast said last Thursday morning, the competition was certainly not a prom or a beauty pageant, and the festival was not held in Ashburton.

Festival organisers even contacted the mayor of the South Canterbury town to help set the record straight, turning what could have been seen as negative press into a marketing opportunity, with the help of social media, to have a bit of a joke about it.

TVNZ has since apologised for its faux pas on national television, and lack of research about our long standing festival that attracts 15,000 people every year.

The Contact Saturday in the Park was once again a huge success with initial indications more than 15,500 people were in attendance - an increase from last year's record year.

Entertainers Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders on the main stage. Photo: The Central App

The 2025 float winners were:

• Most Innovative/Creative Float - Grans Who Can ‘’Bluey at the beach’’
• Best Contemporary Float - Alexandra BMX “The Jump Track’’
• Best Education Float - Omakau and Districts Playcentre “Oh the places you will go’’
• Best Education Float Runner Up - St John Youth supported by Eat Humble Pie “Life Line Limo’’
• Best Floral Float - Central Otago Filipino Community “Princess Carriage’’
• Best Small Float - Pioneer Energy “100 Years of Renewable Energy’’
• People Choice - with over 1000 votes, Combined Lions Club of Alexandra and Clyde “Thomas’s 80th birthday’’  

Other Prizes

• Bain Cup - Best decorated window: Central Interiors
• Jan Belt Memorial Trophy: Alexandra Men’s Shed, presented to Trevor Goudie

Contact Energy, the major sponsor of the blossom festival since 2004, has given out a free entry ticket with one free fair ride to every primary school pupil in the district since the 60th anniversary event in 2016.

Festival event manager Martin McPherson said the biggest success of the event was seeing people of all generations enjoying it.

“I watched a young father dancing with his daughter while mum filmed it on her phone,” Martin said. “We’re in the business of making memories.”

The McLean family has used the Blossom Festival as their annual catch-up for more than two decades. Photo: The Central App

Blossom Festival chairwoman Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said the festival was “magical’’.

“The committee is so grateful to everyone who came out to support this iconic community-led event,’’ she said.

“We look forward to hosting you all again next year . . . where in the world is the best ever Blossom Festival? Alexandra!’’

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