There will still be one big party in the park this Alexandra Blossom Festival, after its special licence was approved, following an appeal.

The Central Otago District Licensing Committee (DLC) released its decision yesterday (Thursday July 31) to reinstate an umbrella licence for the festival’s Saturday in the Park this coming September.

The DLC has approved one licence for all vendors in Pioneer Park.

“I am very pleased with this decision; the festival now has hands-on control of our venue,” event manager Martin McPherson said.

“The festival is proud of its management of alcohol sales and last year’s changes to the licence limited our ability to manage unwanted behaviour from punters and vendors,” festival chair Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said.

The committee was told in 2024 that individual vendors were required to obtain their own onsite licences, but that meant organisers had no control over who was selling what and where.

A vendor who had no understanding of their liquor licence started selling vodka jelly shots, and was soon shut down once the committee realised.

But because the festival committee was not selling alcohol to the public, it was initially declined a special licence, so a hearing was held earlier this month to prove its case.

The licensing committee said that in order to comply with the requirements, a licensee must be directly involved in the sale and supply of alcohol.

Now with its special licence in place, the festival committee is back to having full control. 

“Spring has sprung,” Martin told the Vincent Community Board meeting on July 29.

“The festival is on target for 2025 with record numbers of participants in the market, we were sold out by the end of March and have in excess of 40 people waiting to join, which is beyond silly,” he said.

The entertainment acts would be announced in the next few weeks, and Martin said participants this year will find Saturday in the Park food and beverage sales no different than previous years.

There will be a wide variety of international food flavours, featuring Thai, Mexican, Filipino, South African, and South American taste treats alongside the traditional white bait patties, pizza and hot dogs.

Eight vendors will be selling alcohol such as Central Otago wines and craft beers.

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