2024 Wrap up

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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.
 

2024 Float Winners

Best Contemporary Float

Wall-e Saving the Planet by Puna Rangatahi Alexandra & Districts Youth Trust

Best Education Float

The Art of Childhood by Omakau & Districts Playcentre
Runner Up - The Wiggles by Little Oaks

Best Floral Float

Kung Fu Panda by Combined Lions Clubs of Clyde & Districts, and Alexandra

Best Small Float

Flower Basket by Central Otago Filipino Community

People Choice

Rainbow Fish by Grans Who Can

Other Prizes

Bain Cup - Best decorated window: Jamies Jewellers and Paper PLus

Jan Belt Memorial Trophy: Dave Ramsay

Educational Floats:
A category to feature the efforts by local schools, kindergartens and early childhood
centres, and other providers of education and out of school care. This may include
children walking in costume. Floats will be judged on the day.

Contemporary Floats:
The category that encourages creativity and design. Floats in this category do not
need to be made in the traditional manner and may carry a Princess.

Small Floral Float:
A small float featuring flowers and built on a single axel domestic trailer.

Vehicles and other entries:
This category covers sports clubs, vehicles, and parade entries other than floats.
Please note: No commercial vehicles are allowed in the procession unless used as a
towing vehicle.
 

$750 Donation to your club, school, or kindergarten as a fundraising incentive to participate in this years festival. Private business and others we will donate $750 to a charity of your choice, (T and C apply)

 

PRIZES

People’s Choice: Open to all floral, school and contemporary float entries: Judged by a public vote on the day	$2000
Best Floral Float: Chosen by judging panel on the day	$1000
Best Contemporary Float: Chosen by judging panel on the day.	$500
Most Innovative / Creative Float: Chosen by judging panel on the day	$500
Best Schools Float: Chosen by a judging panel on the day   Runner up	$1500   $1000
Best Small Float: Chosen by a judging panel on the day	$500

 

Helpful Information for Float Builders

All floats are eligible up to $500 GST incl. reimbursement for costs of materials. Please find application form attached.

Each float entry will receive a maximum of 10 complimentary entry tickets to Saturday in the Park.

A float can be entered by a school, childcare centres and kindergartens, community groups, business house, sports club or by individuals.

Crepe paper is sponsored by Alexandra New World. Please contact Shane Ryan 448 6955 ext. 841 to place your order.

The Festival has a paper flower cutting press; please contact Central Stories, 448 6230 to book access to this handy tool.

If you require help in finding a suitable place to build your float, please contact Festival Management

“Men’s Sheds” (a group of experienced handymen) have volunteered to help community organisations build their floats. “Men’s Sheds” have a variety of experience in the engineering and building trades and will help out with the construction of floats. Please contact Brian Taylor 021 031 4576 or email [email protected] for further information.

The Blossom Festival Committee reserves the right to refuse entry to the parade of any float the does not meet our standards, is deemed by the committee to be offensive or to fails to reflect the purpose and values of the Festival.

 

Waste Minimisation

This community is committed to waste minimisation and is working hard to divert material from the landfill and the better use of available resources.

When designing your float, please consider the following:

Reduce – Reuse - Recycle
Reduce – Can your float be built with less stuff? The ‘less is more’ principle.
Reuse – Can your materials be stored and used again next year? Can you use pre-loved materials; there are many interesting items available at WasteBusters.
Recycle – Can you break down your float into its various components ready for recycling? So long as they are separated, recyclers will take metal, cardboard, paper and plastic.
Float builders are responsible for the cost of all rubbish taken to the Transfer Station
Rethinking the design of your float, reusing last years materials, and constructing your float in a way that can easily be undone and recycled, will help you save money and use resources more wisely.
Help support this community’s goal of minimising waste and reducing negative impacts to the environment.

Centennial Avenue from Clutha Street to the war memorial and upper Tarbert Street to Bantry Street will be closed to ordinary traffic from 10.30am on the morning of the Parade. Roads will open following the parade at approximately 1.30pm.