Wine and beer connoisseurs need not fret about there being no alcohol at this year’s Alexandra Blossom Festival, despite the committee being turned down a special licence for the event in September.A public hearing for a special licence will be held this Friday (July 11) by the Central Otago District Licensing Committee.Usually individual vendors applied for their own licence but the blossom festival committee felt it was easier to just have one licence for everybody.A special licence is needed when an event is being held in a place that is not licensed - for example a park or a community hall.Festival organiser Martin McPherson, who is familiar with the process as both a district councillor and one who sits on the hearings panel for resource consents, said he would rather wait until after the public hearing to comment.Meanwhile, float entries are now open for the September 26 -28 event, and Central Otago District Council (CODC) also recently agreed the annual $24,500 funding towards the festival would come from its District Tourism Reserves under the Long Term Plan (2025-34).This will ensure the event’s future is protected and so the committee need not continue applying for a grant through the Vincent Community Board each year.The public hearing for the special licence will be held on Friday at CODC, starting at 10am.

The Alexandra Blossom Festival is the town’s biggest event of the year every September, and wouldn’t be possible without its amazing volunteers.Te Wiki Tuao ā-Motu National Volunteer Week shines a spotlight on the incredible contributions of volunteers across the country, and we talked to one of the names who's been involved in many roles with the festival over the years.Dianne Elliott was awarded the Jan Belt Memorial Trophy in recognition of an outstanding contribution to Alexandra Blossom Festival in 2018.Starting off as secretary of the committee for 12 years from 1996 – 2008, she started helping the late Pam Love with the princesses in about 2004, then gradually took over from her.After a break she came back in 2010 and also took on the job of finding all of the gatekeepers.With five gates around Pioneer Park needing to be staffed all day of the festival, Dianne had to find 60 people in total to check tickets when the crowds came into the park.There’s never been any shortage of volunteers for the role and even the reserve list had another 60 names on it.“This means I can be calling up to 120 people to fill those five gates…some people have been working on the same gate in the same time slot for many years and don’t like change.  “Unfortunately, some of these people are now getting to the stage where they feel they can’t do the job any more because of their age or ill health, which means we have to find fresh blood, with younger people, ideally those in the 30-45 age bracket whose kids don’t want anything to do with their parents on blossom festival day.”Dianne’s other job was contacting businesses to get prizes for the gift packs for the princesses (and in the case of last year a prince too).“At the moment there are 28 businesses involved. These businesses are very generous and without them it would be very difficult. Again, some have been giving gifts for many years.”Then there was the three judges to organise, the the photographer, sashes, flowers for the three winners, events for the contestants to attend, (including the official judging), leading up to the Saturday of blossom festival, and the events for the three winners to attend - as well as doing all of the paperwork.“I also organise people to count votes, usually 4-5 depending on the number of floats. We are on a tight timeline to get the votes counted prior to the official ceremony and again, we have a great team who come back year after year to help with this.”The work doesn’t just stop there. On the day, Dianne delivered the flowers and gifts to the park, and once the procession was over, checked the contestants were okay on their float and being looked after with warm clothes (if necessary), water, until it’s time for them to get off (usually an hour and a half later).One of many volunteer gatekeepers at the blossom festival.Alexandra Blossom Festival chairwoman Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said it was the volunteers who made the festival possible. “The festival could not run if it wasn't for the amazing volunteers.” “Volunteers make our community and event what it is and I am so grateful for the time and energy they give.” Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPherson echoed her sentiment and said each volunteers’ generosity of spirit, time and talents was a true reflection of the community. “The incredible dedication of so many wonderful people behind the scenes is what truly brings the Alexandra Blossom Festival to life.” “Their efforts highlight the strong community spirit that makes this event so unique and cherished."

Organisers and the Alexandra community are celebrating a record breaking weekend at the 67th Contact Alexandra Blossom Festival. The annual The News Round the Clock Race and Fulton Hogan Mardi Gras returned on Friday night after severe weather forced their cancellation last year.Hardy individuals and teams of runners lined up to tackle the climb to the Alexandra Clock, with tutus, high school track suits and bright colours the order of the day. Across the street, a packed-out Mardi Gras lit up the night with Paul Foulds band playing while street performers and illuminated fairies stunned the children. The addition of interactive lighting installations, including an entire garden bed of sunflowers and inflatable flowers were definite favourites, leaving the crowd astounded.The daredevil FMX antics of Freestyle NZ brought the high octane thrills and the night wrapped up with a fantastic fireworks display lighting up the skies above Alexandra. Yesterday, thousands of people lined the streets for the Contact Grand Parade as an array of trucks, floats, florreys, marching and pipe bands, street performers and community groups made their way down Alexandra’s Centennial Ave. A colourful display of Rainbow Fish, Kung Fu Panda, Lego, BMX bikers, SteamPunk enthusiasts and cultural groups wowed the crowd. Olympic silver medallist Nicole Shields took part in the parade, riding in a red Bentley with Olympic rings on the side, surrounded by children from Clyde Primary School. She took time in the afternoon to walk through Pioneer Park, talking with the masses who stopped to congratulate her. The Contact Saturday in the Park was a huge success with more than 15,000 people attending.   Bands The QFO Experiment, Paul Foulds Band, Jody Direen, rocked the crowd, before an emotional kapa haka performance by Central Otago primary school pupils stole the limelight. Simon Green’s Neil Diamond Tribute “A Solitary Man’’ and Highland Storm rounded out the night with everyone up on their feet dancing and singing. The crowd rang out in support as two historic firsts took place: joint winners for the highly anticipated 2024 Blossom Crown - and the Festival's first ever Blossom King.Blossom Royalty . . . From left 2024 Alexandra Blossom Festival King Nate Alexander, 16, 1st Runner Up Kimberley Dacosta, 16, and Alexandra Blossom Festival Queen Lily Kain, 16. There was not a dry eye in sight as the pair were announced, with fellow contestants jumping up to congratulate them.The weekend wrapped up with the Delta Garden tour, a self-driven tour of eight spectacular gardens around Alexandra and Clyde. Blossom Festival chairwoman Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said she was thrilled with the weekend’s success. “It was an absolute stunner of a day in every way! The community really came out to celebrate,’’ she said. “We are so grateful for all the support from the sponsors, the volunteers and our wonderful community.’’ 2024 Float Winners Best Contemporary Float - Wall-e Saving the Planet by Puna Rangatahi Alexandra & Districts Youth TrustBest Education Float -The Art of Childhood by Omakau & Districts PlaycentreRunner Up The Wiggles by Little OaksBest Floral Float - Kung Fu Panda by Combined Lions Clubs of Clyde & Districts, and AlexandraBest Small Float - Flower Basket by Central Otago Filipino CommunityPeople Choice - Rainbow Fish by Grans Who CanOther PrizesBain Cup - Best decorated window: Jamies Jewellers and Paper PLusJan Belt Memorial Trophy: Dave Ramsay      

Robyn Marshall has added a crown to her collection of many hats.Representing Clyde and Districts Lions Club, Robyn was named Senior Queen, while Anne Dougherty, representing Alexandra Petanque Club, was first runner up during a special ceremony at the Alexandra District Club yesterday.Robyn said she was not expecting to claim the prestigious title, given the great work all the other contestants do in the community.“It’s just unbelievable,” she said, moments after claiming the honour.“There were so many fabulous people I was up against . . . and I couldn’t believe it. But it is lovely.”She said the many people who had attended the afternoon’s celebrations, which included afternoon tea and a fashion show by Alexandra business Flying with Birds, had added something special to the occasion.“It’s a beautiful coming together of the community. It’s a very special day.”2024 Alexandra Blossom Festival Senior Queen winner Robyn Marshall (left) with runner up Anne Dougherty. PHOTO: Shannon Thoms/Alexandra Blossom FestivalAnne was also honoured to receive the runner-up award.She said various organisations she was involved with have several members called Ann, which meant she was often referred to as “Anne with an ‘e’.There have since been some comments made following her Alexandra Blossom Festival involvement that she could now be called “Princess Anne” instead.A new addition to the crowning ceremony this year was the introduction of the People’s Choice award, with people voting as they entered. That honour was taken out by Jo Ireland, nominated by Alexandra Senior Citizens.The People's Choice award was presented to Jo Ireland during yesterday's special ceremony. PHOTO: Shannon Thoms/Alexandra Blossom FestivalA further two contestants who were in the running for the title of Blossom Festival Queen were Bernie Butler and Jacqui Hood, who were nominated by friends and the Alexandra Lions Club, respectively.Each of the five women were introduced to the Senior Queen judges - Senior Queen founder Liz Pratt, Contact Energy representative Michelle Bastiaansen and Tall Poppy Real Estate Central Otago owner Peter Hishon - at a special high tea last week, leaving the judges with a very difficult decision.Alexandra Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPherson said the crowning of the Senior Queen was a “wonderful’’ way to start the festival’s 67th celebrations.The Senior Queen has been a fixture in the Alexandra Blossom Festival since 1996, celebrating the wonderful senior women in our community and their contribution.The crowning is the first official event to take place on the Alexandra Blossom Festival programme.To keep up to date with all of the upcoming Blossom Festival activities download The Central App.Read more: Introducing Senior Queen nominees for 2024Read more: Modern timing system adds shine to gold panning champs

Welcome to our second edition of Community Champions, celebrating the remarkable individuals who make our communities special. Today we feature Alexandra's Martin McPherson.He was a renowned Christchurch event promoter and king of PR, schmoozing over lavish, three-hour champagne lunches during the heydays of a booming, 1980s, pre-crash sharemarket.Rubbing shoulders with music greats, Martin McPherson was destined to organise events.From the tender age of 10 his mum recalled him making his stage promoter debut, capitalising on the family of dancers next door.“The two girls did ballet, and the boy did tap so I organised a concert, dragging the furniture into the driveway, and charging the local kids to come.”It's a skill that Martin’s honed for over 50 years, and one that’s ensured the survival and success of the Alexandra Blossom Festival, now in its 67th year.Born on Christmas Eve, 1956, Martin was given up for adoption but that fell through leaving him unwanted and destined for an orphanage at 10 months old until his adopted mother, who’d fostered him as a newborn, brought him home.Martin celebrating his Christmas birthday, last year. PHOTO: SuppliedHis mum sent a telegram to his father, a shoe factory manager who was overseas for work, and said, ‘You know that baby we had at Christmas, we’re keeping him.“Dad didn’t have much choice,” Martin grins.He went to St Albans School then St Andrews College and Mairehau High School where he was elected prefect only to be vetoed by the principal.“I had a dubious academic career. I was above average, but my school reports said, ‘could do better’, ‘easily distracted’.”Leaving school in 1972, Martin worked in retail for Symon and Lowther, then menswear boutique Mathew & Son selling “seriously flared trousers, platform shoes and seersucker shirts”.Martin the male model in 1982. PHOTO: SuppliedHe had a “brief flirtation” with a modelling career and downtime was spent surfing.The family’s colour television had arrived in 1974 in time to watch the Christchurch Commonwealth Games.Martin hitched around New Zealand before breaking into the music industry, as the Canterbury University Students Association’s culture and entertainment manager, attracting bands like Chris Knox and The Enemy.He was flatting with the designer of Flying Nuns’ logo and always putting posters up for pub gigs.“I was active on the fringe of Christchurch music scene.“I’d always wanted to be on stage but had no talent. I wanted to bathe in that reflective glory and the best way was to organise other people.”Christchurch’s music scene was pretty spartan.Bands did gigs in halls, charging $2 admission, events frequently turned over by police.It was the beginning of punk rock, so Martin started his own events.“We were breaking new ground.”He was a booking agent for the likes of Toy Love, The Androids, rubbing shoulders with Iggy Pop and Tom Jones.He earned a reputation and gravitated into PR, working for renowned American company Hill & Knowlton in Christchurch.“It was pre-1987 sharemarket crash. The champagne was flowing. We wore $1000 silk suits and hosted three-hour long lunches.”The events were grand affairs, requiring grand entrances.Martin’s most embarrassing moment came after his Trustbank Canterbury 25th anniversary event in the Christchurch Town Hall.The history was portrayed through four nights with bank uniform fashion parades and hits of the previous 25 years played by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, led by leading NZ conductor Sir William Southgate.“I had my ‘cans’ (headphones) on backstage and he called me out on stage. Mum was in the fifth row, centre. The chord got caught and my cans went flying off my head one way and I went the other in front of 3000 people!”His next role was more anonymous – Ronald McDonald for client McDonald’s, opening a new Christchurch outlet - Ronald’s entire 1000-page manual had to be memorised.However, in 1987 Martin’s whirlwind world came to an end with the sudden shock of the sharemarket crash.“PR was the first to go. The American company pulled out of NZ, and we tried on our own, but PR had dried up,” he says.“Overnight, friends who were millionaires on paper, ended up losing their homes and their parents’ homes. The late 80s and early 90s were terrible times,” Martin says.Martin at Canterbury Cup Day in 1985, a highlight of his PR career. PHOTO: SuppliedChristchurch Mayor Sir Hamish Hay asked Martin to manage a youth facility aimed at unemployed street kids with glue sniffing rife.“It was horrific. There was a lot of pain. On dole day afternoons we had Kiwi bands play by the Avon for free and we ran dances.”Herbs played and Martin called favours on the local Black Power and Mongrel Mob gangs to man security, ensuring they were on ‘neutral turf’.The Christchurch City Council entrusted him with grant funding to help street kids.“The only ones who turned up to help were the Salvation Army, so they got the money.”Martin has helped them in return every year since.Martin and his dog, Alfie, collecting for The Salvation Army. PHOTO: SuppliedHe’s worked in radio promotions with big names like James Daniels, Gary McCormick and Simon Barnett, organised Summertimes Festivals and boosted hospitality takings, staging successful music events.The HART (Halt All Racist Tours) protest promoter from the 1981 Springbok Tour was doing Rugby World Cup promotions for the NZ Rugby Union by 1991.But Martin had, had an epiphany while organising a 1989 New Year’s Eve party at Oliver’s in Clyde for Fleur Sullivan.“I looked up at the stars and knew in my bones I’d end up in Central Otago.”His brother lived in Letts Gully and in 1993 Martin scored a job as Alexandra Promotions manager organising events like the Alexandra Blossom Festival.“I was the slick kid from the city and the town literally stood back with their arms folded.”Martin with one of his favourite acts - Lady Killers (from left) Tina Cross, Jacqui Clarke and Annie Crummer at the 65th Blossom Festival in 2022. PHOTO: SuppliedHis proposal to change the route of the festival parade had one woman threatening to leave town.“I volunteered to help her pack, but there was no animosity. People thought I would fall over but I earned their respect.”In 2002 – the year his mum died, and his ex-girlfriend discovered she was pregnant, he was made redundant only to be invited back in 2009 with the festival in financial strife.Those preceding years were tough, Martin working as a Stop & Go man and in an orchard packhouse, but daughter Sophie, now 22, became his shining light.“I had her for her first sleepover at 10 days,” he says, proudly.Martin and life partner Christine brought Sophie up from age 9.A Central Otago District councillor for over 20 years and former chair of the Vincent Community Board, Martin reckons he does his best work in the supermarket.He’s proud to have turned the Blossom Festival, costing $250,000 a year, around, through sponsorship and gate sales, with market stalls bringing in $20,000 and a Food and Wine Festival introduced.“It’s like a giant jig-saw puzzle. I start in January and do the sky, corners and bottom and by early August I get concerned as I think I’ve lost a couple of pieces,” he says.And well, the weather’s out of his hands.Even a bid for prayer from Father O’Brien, concerned that Martin’s Catholic mum had married a Protestant, once prompted the cheeky reply: “Son, knowing your history I could only go down on one knee for you,” Martin grins.Read more: Big read: Our Community ChampionsRead more: Funding to help promote blossom festival nationwideDo you have someone in the community you'd like to nominate as our Community Champion for the 1st of October? Contact Us and let us know who and why. Thank you! We love to share stories about the heroes walking the streets of Central.

Spring has arrived and with that the days are getting longer and hotter once again. Most of us are likely happy to see the end of winter after a long inversion layer period.The arrival of spring also means time for Alexandra to host another Blossom Festival, a large and unique community event both for locals and those who travel from afar.I like to do my bit for the community so at the start of the year I became Treasurer of the Blossom Festival Committee. Now, if you have been on a not-for-profit committee before you will realise that (done properly) they do consume a lot of time. However, given the history and importance of the event to Alexandra and the wider region it was a pleasure to be invited to contribute and assist.What I didn’t realise when taking up the treasurer role was just how significant this event is for the community. I have attended many a Blossom Festival, both as a kid with my grandparents and, more recently, with my own children. Until joining the committee, though, I didn’t understand the scale of event management required. Even more importantly, I had no idea how much money this event raises – money that flows into our community each year.What I find greatest about Blossom Festival (apart from the fact Martin McPherson and team run an entertaining event each year) is the fact that all money raised through grants, tickets or drinks sales is distributed wide and far back into the community. The economic scale of this unique event in a small New Zealand town has blown me away. From an economic perspective, the festival raises a lot of proceeds each year – much brought in by out-of-towners travelling to the region for the weekend – which then flow directly into our community. This benefits locals from areas as diverse as retail, advertising/media, food catering, cleaning, traffic management, equipment hire, prize winners to many more. The Blossom Festival really does provide a material level of economic stimulus to our region each year, which I am sure most other small regional towns would like to emulate.So, while this year I won’t have the privilege of enjoying the festival from an attendee perspective, I will be hidden away in the background doing my part to make sure others enjoy the fantastic line up. But while working behind the scenes, I will take great comfort in knowing that my efforts will be contributing not only to an event with long-standing history in the region but also one that supports the economic prosperity of our region. On that note, when attending and enjoying the event please do take note of the sponsors and supporters who assist in making this event happen. Without them we would not be able to run such a special and important event for the region.

For 2022 Alexandra Blossom Festival Queen Claudia Hammond, the feeling of passing on the crown is “bittersweet” but she is more than happy to relinquish it. The crowning of the Queen has been a notable feature of the for the last 66 years. Following tradition, the previous year’s Queen crowns the new queen each year. Winning the crown was “an experience I’ll never forget,” Claudia said. One of her biggest takeaways since winning the crown is the ongoing positive feeling.“(It) felt validating that I can tick the boxes of an involved community member,” she said.Seeing this year's princesses has been a nostalgic moment for Claudia. “I love seeing people get the same experience. I had a ball and I hope they do too.”She also recognised the connections and relationships she made from the experience that continue a year later. Yesterday (Saturday September 23) Claudia handed her crown over to 2023 Queen Myah Turnbull. Newly crowned Myah Turnbull with last year’s festival queen Claudia Hammond. PHOTO: The Central AppMyah described the win as “amazing, unexpected and awesome ”. Myah was “so happy” with the win and appeared to be close to tears when her name was announced. As for Claudia’s advice to any future princesses, she said: “Literally just be yourself. And make the most of the opportunity because it’s heaps of fun.” Judges for the festival queen were the Central App managing director Vicki McLean, Central Otago District Council group manager - community vision Dylan Rushbrook, and Central Otago Living Options operating manager Olivia Wildey.Vicki said it had been a busy week for the princesses, as they visited community organisations around Alexandra, and the next few days would be even busier for Myah, Tyah, and Arlia.The 2023 float winners were: Most Innovative/Creative - Puss n Boots by Combined Lions Clubs of Clyde & Districts, and Alexandra; Best Contemporary Float - Gold Fever by Eat Humble Pie and Waterworks Plumbing; Best Education Float - Up - Adventure is out there by Clyde Play Centre; Best Floral Float - Nee Naw by Little Oaks Early Learning Centre; Best Small Float - Not just fencing and toilets by Fulton Hogan; and the People’s Choice - Minions by Grans Who Can.

After days of torrential rain that meant organisers of the Alexandra Blossom Festival had to cancel the Fulton Hogan Mardi Gras and The News Round the Clock Race scheduled on Friday (September 22), Saturday brought some clouds in the morning but none of the forecast afternoon showers.The sun broke through, surprising many who hadn’t thought to pack sunscreen, and there was an extra buzz in the air that the festival, or Blossie as it is affectionately known, had once again run smoothly, if not quite to plan. There were fewer people lining the street for the Grand Parade than last year, but there was no shortage of energy.‘Nee Naw’, the entry from the Little Oaks Early Learning Centre.Alexandra Blossom Festival Senior Queen Jill Checketts, aka 50 Squadron (Alexandra) Air Training Corps Unit Commander, Squadron Leader Checketts, spoke for many when she said the weather was ideal, not too hot to be enjoyable, but still a lovely Central spring day..“There were so many people praying and dancing to make sure this happened today,” she said. “It couldn’t have been better.”The Dunstan Kahui Ako kapa haka group enjoyed the Grand Parade before going on stage themselves.Another woman told the Central App that because of the fierce weather that has seen states of emergency declared in neighbouring regions, the day’s fine weather and the energy of the show felt like a gift.But it was prizes rather than gifts on the minds of many, particularly supporters of the young women vying for the Alexandra Blossom Festival Queen tiara, as well as the many hands in the community that folded thousands of flowers to go on the festival floats.‘Tow Mater’, by Fulton Hogan.The Central App managing director Vicki McLean was one of the judges of the festival queen, and said before naming the runners-up and winner that all the girls were amazing.“We’ve had a fantastic week and it’s been really hard to come up with just one, two, three,” she said.Second Runner-Up was Arlia Murphy, representing Clyde Play Centre, whose float, ‘Up - Adventure Is Out There’, was judged the Best Educational Float. First Runner-Up was Tyla Davidson, representing Eat Humble Pie and Waterworks Plumbing, whose float ‘Gold Fever’ won Best Contemporary Float. The Alexandra Blossom Festival Queen was Myah Turnbull, representing Hire King, whose float, ‘Not Just Fencing and Toilets’, won the Best Small Float.Princess in waiting - Myah Turnbull on the Hire King float had no idea she would be named festival queen.Myah was clearly stunned when her name was announced and was surrounded by family, friends, and well-wishers when she made her way off the stage, if not quite back to earth. The party continued after the official announcements with a good-sized and good-natured crowd enjoying the music on the main stage, and many staying around for a fireworks show rescheduled from the cancelled Friday night Mardi Gras.The festival continues throughout the week so pick up a programme or look at the website and get out to enjoy more of the best that Alexandra has to offer.Check back with the Central App tomorrow for a full list of winners, a chat with the new queen, and another gallery of images.‘Puss in Boots’ by the Combined Lions Clubs of Alexandra & Clyde.‘Minions’ by Grans Who Can.Waiting in line: Vincent Ward Community Board member Jayden Cromb and his family (from left) Aronui, wife Summer, Tamati, and Amiria.Braving a little chill: Festival princess Hailey Petrie on the Puss in Boots float. Family fun: From left, Sandy Tak with twins Nelson and Bay Kim (3), Jiny Tak, and Julia An with Viviana (3) and Liz (5) Park enjoy the day.Admiring their peers: From left, members of the City of Christchurch Highland Pipe Band Carolyn Keddie, and Celine and Craig Gibson listen to Highland Storm on the main stage.Scots and Steampunk: From left, Anne Todd of the Queenstown Pipe Band converses with Alan Bryan and Roscoe Dangerfield, self-proclaimed Inspector of Nuisances to Her Majesty Queen Victoria III, both of Dunedin.Blossie bargains: Izzy Hamill, left, and Kathy Stanton of Alexandra are pleased with their purchases.Dragon dancers: From left, Lucy Loo (12), Hannah Hamilton (14), Erin Loo (10) and Joseph Hamilton (12) are about to return to Dunedin after taking part in the Grand Parade and appearing on stage.Piping up a storm: The band Highland Storm was a favourite with the crowd.

The Alexandra Blossom Festival committee are saddened to announce the cancellation of the Fulton Hogan Mardi Gras and The News Round the Clock Race tonight due to severe weather. Festival chairwoman Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said she was “gutted’’ to have to cancel the popular event, however people’s safety came first, she said. “The committed are absolutely devastated that we are having to do this, but people’s safely come first Our thoughts are with our neighbouring communities who are currently under a State of Emergency due to the weather, and we just want people to be safe.’’ Event manager Martin McPherson said it was the right call to cancel the Friday night events and the organisers were still planning for a great day tomorrow with the Contact Grand Parade and Saturday in the Park. “We are still all go for tomorrow, see you there!’’ he said. 

A group of 11 grandmothers (the ‘Grans who can’) are getting ready for their flower folding expertise to be filmed by Seven Sharp on Thursday (September 21). They have been working on a Minions themed float for the past six months. Spokesperson for the grans Laurie Paterson said they have created 60,000 crepe paper flowers for the 11.5 metre long trailer. “We did it for fun, not for any of this [media attention].”Weather and flights permitting, the grans are going to have a Seven Sharp film crew visit them on Thursday morning (September 21). Laurie said the float is “practically finished” thanks to many hours of work by the grans, their husbands and friends.Laurie and her husband Nigel moved back to Central five years ago. She said she remembers building floats together with her friend Glenys for Plunket “around a hundred” years ago. Laurie and friend Vyv Weller decided there weren’t enough floats and - with float numbers dropping - they were going to do something about it. Vyv Weller with a yellow section of the float. PHOTO: SuppliedBefore ‘the grans’, Vyv made floats for the Girl Guides that were “held together with sticky tape”. Thankfully the minions' structure is more robust.The grans group has grown from just Vyv and Laurie to include Laurie’s daughter's mother-in-law, her sister, her cousin, her sister's friend, several neighbours, various husbands - and on the parade day there will be 19 children on the float.Laurie and Nigel have the float stored in their shed, so Laurie has hosted flower folding sessions for months.“We do it for friendship, fun or the afternoon tea.“What turns up, turns up. It’s a great way to catch up.”There’s no formality, its friends folding flowers for around two hours and bringing what they can to enjoy with a cup of tea. Laurie said she’ll “whip up a sponge” if they need one. Unlike when she worked on Plunket floats where she would be up folding flowers until midnight, the grans “wanted it to be all finished so [they] wouldn't be stressed.”A glimpse of the Minions float. PHOTO: SuppliedThere’s just one more thing to do. The trailer tyres need to be deflated, the trailer rolled out of the shed, (it’s too high to get through the shed door) then the tyres pumped up again to be moved in time for the parade.Laurie said some husbands would be roped in for that, “even though they don’t know it yet.”Pictured are (back, from left) Shirley Hiscock, Noriko Stewart, Chris Allan and Glenys Henderson. Front from left are Debbie Saxton, Barbara Price and Laurie Paterson.PHOTO: Shannon Thomson/Alexandra Blossom Festival The grans’ previous float, Clifford the Big Red Dog, was a hit and won best floral float and the public vote last year.  For more on the 66th festival see The Central App Blossom Festival button here.

A Hawkes Bay family hit hard by weather events is coming to Blossy thanks to collaboration between Central Otago District and Hawkes Bay councils and event sponsors. Following the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) initiated the Adopt-a-Community campaign, where more than 30 councils in New Zealand adopted one of the affected areas.  Efforts were made to raise money for the Mayoral Relief Fund, kids from schools in unaffected areas became pen pals with affected schools, and so forth. As the instigator of the campaign, Central Otago district mayor Tim Cadogan was always concerned that the sharing of aroha stayed alive, as the difficulties faced by the affected communities would not be short-term. Central Otago has adopted Central Hawkes Bay, and with a view to showing our adopted community that we are still thinking of them, raising more funds for the relief fund, and giving some deserving people a break, the council has come up with “Bring ‘em to Blossy”. Central Hawkes Bay mayor Alex Walker identified a family who have been hit hard by the cyclone. They are Creedenz Karaitiana, owner of the Porangahau Garage, and his mum Ngaira Walford. The garage (pictured) has been shut since the cyclone hit. PHOTO: Supplied   The garage is slowly being rebuilt and the pressure the disaster has had on Creedenz and the wider family has been profound.  Air New Zealand has donated airfares to get these two down and back, CODC has secured accommodation, the Blossom Festival has organised a car and tickets, Contact Energy (Principal Sponsor of the Festival) will be matching donations collected at the Festival for the Central Hawkes Bay Mayoral Fund up to $2,000, and Highlands Motorsport Park has a morning of high speed thrills lined up for Credenze and Ngaira. Creedenz and Ngaira fly into Queenstown on Thursday September 21 and leave on Sunday, They will enjoy everything Central has to offer, including the Mardi Gras evening on Friday September 22 and the grand parade and Saturday in the Park.The effects of Gabrielle are still being felt every day by the people of the central North Island. Meanwhile ‘Bring ‘em to Blossy’ may remind the communities affected that we have not forgotten them, and we still care.

Jill Checketts of Wānaka, representing 50 Squadron (Alexandra) Air Training Corps, took out the 2023 Alexandra Blossom Festival Senior Queen crown at a special event at the Alexandra District Club this afternoon (Tuesday September 19). Nominees Angela Pratley (Combined Lions Clubs of Clyde & Districts) and Linda Leckie (Alexandra Senior Citizens) were named runners up and will ride next to Jill on the Contact Energy float in Saturday’s Alexandra Blossom Festival Grand Parade (September 23). Head judge and Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan said judging was a difficult decision as all the candidates were deserving of the crown, however Jill’s 24 years of supporting young people through Air Training Corps was too big to dismiss. Jill said she was “very honoured and humbled’’ to win.Crowned: 2023 Alexandra Blossom Festival Senior Queen winner Jill Checketts. “The other contestants were amazing and everybody in this community does so well - they don’t just do one thing,” she said.“They do so much for everybody and it doesn’t matter what your walk of life is, you have a mutual interest in being the best you can be in this wonderful place.’’ The Senior Queen has been a fixture in the Alexandra Blossom Festival since 1996, with the crowning the first official event of the festival week.PHOTOS: Shannon Thomson/Alexandra Blossom FestivalMeet the 2023 Senior Queen nominees 

Saturday 23rd10am to 3pmSH8 Dunorling St from Kelman St to Centennial AveSH8 Centennial Ave from monument (intersection SH8/85) to Clutha StDetour via Kelman St (SH8) to Dunorling St, Bringans St to Matau St, Ventry St to Clutha St, then back onto SH8 (Centennial Ave) SH85 Tarbert St from monument (intersection SH8/85) to Station StDetour via Royal Terrace to Chicago St, along Station St, then back to SH85 (Tarbert St) Sent from my iPhone6am to 6pmShannon Street closed from Centennial Avenue to Bantry Street 10am to 2pmKillarney St from Tarbert St to Centennial Ave

Central locals can now get their hands on tickets for the region's favourite party. Alexandra Blossom Festival tickets have hit the shelves so locals can get organised early and avoid queues on the day. Locals tickets are on sale around Alexandra and Clyde in shops, banks, and dairies until Thursday, September 21.  Tickets are also available from Central Stories, Unichem Pharmacy and Alexandra Community House. Locals’ tickets cost $6 each and children under five are free. Out of town visitors can get their tickets at the gate on the day for $10 with children under five years free.The 66th Blossom Festival (September 22-24) is full of quintessentially Kiwi events, including Friday night mardi gras and fireworks display, the grand parade and party in the park. Following the parade, Saturday in the Park includes carnival rides, market stalls, food trucks, children's entertainment and Queenstown bands Ginger and Tonic, Highland Storm, and Alexandra local musician Paul Foulds