Alexandra Blossom Festival facts for kids
The Alexandra Blossom Festival is a super fun yearly event in Alexandra, New Zealand. It happens for about 17 days every September. This festival celebrates the start of Spring! It's actually the longest-running community event like it in all of New Zealand.
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What is the History of the Blossom Festival?
The very first Blossom Festival started on Friday, September 27, 1957. The first thing people could see was a spring flower show. The next day was the main event, often called the "big day." This is when the famous parade of floats first happened. These floats moved along the main street of Alexandra. There was also entertainment at Pioneer Park after the parade.
From then on, the parade and other main events usually happen on a weekend. This is typically during the last week of September. The parade is always held on a Saturday.
Alexandra's yearly Spring celebration is New Zealand's longest-running festival. The Alexandra Blossom Festival has raised lots of money. This money helps to provide useful things for the town of Alexandra. This popular event helps bring the community together. It also gets attention from all over the country.
The year 2006 was special. It marked the festival's 50th anniversary!
What Can You Do at the Blossom Festival?
The types of activities and exhibits change a bit each year. However, there are usually many exciting things to do.
Popular Activities and Shows
Activities often include:
- Shearing championships (where sheep are shorn)
- Music festivals
- Blossom drives (scenic drives to see the blossoms)
- Musical plays
- And much more!
Exhibits can range from art shows to beautiful flower displays.
The Famous Parade
The most exciting part of the festival is the yearly parade. You can see all sorts of things in the parade. These include:
- Different kinds of vehicles
- Handmade floats
- Classic cars
- Street entertainers
- Marching bands
- And even horse-drawn vehicles!
Saturday in the Park
After the parade, everyone heads to "Saturday in the Park." This event is full of fun and relaxation. It's great for local families and visitors.
You can find many attractions here, such as:
- Carnival rides
- A special stage for children
- Circus entertainers
- Music concerts for all ages
- Stalls selling different items
- Food and drink tents
- Interactive games like rock climbing
Party in the Park Concert
In 2006, the "Party in the Park" concert also returned. This concert was held at night inside a huge tent called a Grand Marquee. Six bands from New Zealand played music there. Some well-known bands included Elemeno P and Goodnight Nurse. Other bands that played were Minuit, Eggs, Solaa, and Twinset.
